Saudi Arabia, Egypt downplay media reports of dispute over Syria

CAIRO – Egypt and Saudi Arabia have sought to downplay reports of discord among the close allies over Syria.

Riyadh is a key backer of Islamist rebels battling to overthrow President Bashar Assad. Egypt's government, which is deeply suspicious of Islamist movements throughout the region, says Assad's government will have to be part of a negotiated settlement.

Local media say the dispute over Syria has caused discord between the two allies. Saudi Arabia has given billions of dollars to Egypt since the military overthrew Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, who is visiting Cairo for the first time since assuming his post, said Sunday he does not know where "impressions" of discord came from.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry says the two countries' policies complement each other.