Egypt's Sisi: Lack of 'justice' fueling extremism

Southern Suhneh- Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who has led a massive crackdown on Islamists, says the fight against extremism in the region must go hand-in-hand with pursuing greater "freedom, equality and justice."

El-Sissi spoke on Friday at a regional World Economic Forum conference in Jordan.

He says extremism increases because of "desperation, regression of values of justice."

Egypt has waged a sweeping crackdown against Islamists since el-Sissi, then the army chief, led the overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013 amid massive protests demanding the president's removal.

Since then Egyptian security forces have killed hundreds of Islamists in street clashes and jailed thousands. Egyptian courts have handed down a series of mass death sentences that have been condemned by rights groups.