BEIRUT –  Egypt’s foreign minister says he is visiting Lebanon to help rival Lebanese political groups find common ground. Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014
and parliament has been unable to elect a head of state because of deep
disagreements. After meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Tuesday,
Sameh Shoukry tells reporters that Egypt doesn’t favor any side. He says
that “our role is that of a facilitator.” Asked about the prospects for reconciliation between
Egypt and Turkey, Shoukry says that “it is not up to Egypt to approach
this issue, but it is up to those who continue to advocate policies that
are detrimental to Egypt.”

Egypt’s 2013 military overthrow of Islamist President
Mohammed Morsi was harshly condemned by Turkey. The two countries have
had tense relations since.