Merkel calls on al-Sissi to strengthen Egyptian democracy

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has offered her congratulations to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi on his re-election, but also called on him to work harder to strengthen his country's democracy.

Merkel said Wednesday that she was convinced "an approach to politics that allows extensive political participation possibilites for civil society can lead to long-term success."

The chancellor expressed her conviction in a congratulatory letter to former military chief al-Sissi, according to the German Federal Press Office.

Al-Sissi was re-elected president of Egypt with 97 per cent of vote on Monday, beating a single, little-known challenger for a second four-year term.

In 2013, al-Sissi led the overthrow of the country's first democratically-elected president, Mohammed Morsi.

Critics have accused al-Sissi of cracking down on freedom of the press and freedom of expression. In recent months, dozens of websites critical of him and his government have been blocked.