Syria and Israel are planning to hold a ministerial meeting to discuss the sectarian conflict in southern Syria

Diplomatic sources said that the Foreign Minister of the Syrian transitional government, Al-Hibani, plans to meet with Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs, Al-Demel, in France to discuss the recent sectarian violence that has occurred in southern Syria.

AFP reported that a senior diplomat disclosed that the security meeting between Syrian and Israeli ministers is scheduled to take place on Thursday (July 24th) Paris time. The talks were mediated by Barack, the US Special envoy for Syria.

This is the first ministerial meeting between the new Syrian authorities and Israel. Hibani and Demer are expected to discuss the sectarian bloodshed that broke out in southern Syria in early July.

This conflict took place in Suweida Province in southern Syria, where Druze people are in the majority. Israel earlier intervened under the pretext of protecting the Druze people by bombing the Syrian capital Damascus.

The conflict between the Druze and the Bedouin tribes has led to hundreds of deaths. The Syrian authorities later declared a ceasefire and the government forces withdrew from Suweida Province.

According to diplomatic sources in Damascus, before the violent incidents in Suveda Province, Syrian and Israeli officials held a meeting in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on July 12, when Syrian Interim President Salah was visiting Azerbaijan.