People walk in front of a poster of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at Al-Hussein mosque in the old Islamic area of Cairo, Egypt, November 9, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

LISBON - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called for a joint effort from the international community in protecting citizens from terrorism, during a conference at the Portuguese Military University here on Tuesday.

"We must confront terrorism in a firm way and with one only voice," he said at the conference on safety and terrorism during his two-day visit to Portugal, adding that "if we don't act now, the situation will become more complicated."

He also said it was important to think about the root causes of terrorism and the international community had to up its efforts to protect citizens.

Portuguese Defence Minister Azeredo Lopes said Portugal supported Egypt's efforts to fight terrorism and the armed forces were a "fundamental instrument of external policy" in this domain.

Earlier on Tuesday, Al-Sisi met with business people to enhance cooperation in several fields including technology and renewable energy.

On Monday, he met with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Antonio Costa.

Al-Sisi's official trip to Portugal marks 24 years since an Egyptian president last visited Portugal.