The international community should counter extremism whenever it exists, address its motives, and help young people avoid falling into the clutches of extremism and terrorism, Egypt's foreign minister said Thursday at a United Nations Security Council session devoted to the role of the youth in countering violent extremism and promoting peace.

Sameh Shoukry added that a surge in youth unemployment and increasing economic distress are the main reasons behind terrorism, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Badr Abdel Aati said.

He also highlighted President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's call for modernizing the religious discourse to prevent any misinterpretations of religious teachings, noting that Egypt have taken many tangible steps in this regard.

The minister noted that Egypt's top religious authorities, Al Azhar and Darul Iftaa, have been working hard to refute the extremist groups' false beliefs.

Egypt has floated many initiatives to combat radicalization in society by enhancing the higher education quality, bridging the unemployment gap, and encouraging young people to be more active participants in the political process, he said.