France calls for both sides to respect ceasefire in Sweida, urges Israel to stop unilateral action

PARIS, July 17 (Reuters) - The French foreign ministry urged on Thursday for both sides to respect the ceasefire in Sweida, for a probe of actions against minorities and called for Israel to stop unilateral action.

French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot has held talks in recent days with his Syrian and Israeli counterparts over the issue, the ministry said in a statement.

The Islamist-led government's troops withdrew from the predominantly Druze city of Sweida overnight, after U.S. intervention led to a truce in fighting in which scores of people had been killed. But Bedouin fighters have launched a new offensive, saying the truce only applied to government forces, a Bedouin commander said.