Sisi lauds Italy's support for Egypt in fight against terror

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi stressed Egypt's appreciation for Italy's stances supportive of the Egyptian efforts to combat terrorism, lauding the Italian reaction to a blast that took place outside the Italian consulate in Cairo on Saturday.

Sisi made the remarks during his meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni, which was attended by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

Presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef said that President Sisi asserted that all recent terrorist acts that occurred in a number of countries confirmed that all terrorist and extremist organizations derive their thoughts from the same source.

"These groups are closely linked at the intellectual, logistic and organizational levels," Sisi said, stressing that they should be comprehensively combated in all countries without any exception.

For his part, the Italian minister conveyed the greetings of the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to Sisi, noting that his country regards the blast of the Italian consulate as a failed attempt to harm the deeply-rooted relations binding the two countries.

These acts will cement the relations between the two states, Gentiloni said.

He thanked President Sisi's for the Egyptian government's decision to bear the costs of renovating the building of the consulate after it was badly damaged in the attack.

On Libya, President Sisi called for the importance of swiftly and effectively moving to address the current crisis in the North African country.

Egypt has warned of the repercussions of the deteriorating security situation in Libya, Sisi said, urging the international community to respond to Egypt's call to support the Libyan army and halt the supply of money, weapons and foreign fighters to the terrorist groups in Libya.

The two sides also discussed the issue of illegal migration, the spokesman said.

"Egypt hosts millions of refugees from a number of Arab and African countries, which constitutes a heavy burden on the country's economy," Sisi, quoted by the spokesman, said.