France, Aug. 20 -- Syrian and Israeli ministers emerged from a meeting in Paris pledging to calm tensions between the countries and ease sectarian strains in southern Syria.

The talks between Syria's Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, and the Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister, Ron Dermer, focused on "de-escalation and non-interference in Syria's internal affairs", said Syria's state news agency SANA.

The delegations came together a month after deadly sectarian clashes in the Druze-majority Sweida province.

The week of violence that began on 13 July initially pitted Druze fighters against Sunni Bedouin but quickly spiralled, drawing in Syrian government forces and prompting Israeli strikes.

Israel, home to its own Druze community, h...