U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem have planned to meet in Egypt's Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh later on Thursday on the sidelines of the conference of the International Compact with Iraq, a senior U.S. official said.

Rice and Muallem are expected to discuss Iraqi security issues during the planned meeting, said the U.S. official on condition of anonymity, adding the meeting still being under arrangement.

If the meeting held, it will be the first high-level talks between the two countries in years.

Meanwhile, there is yet any confirmation of another substantive meeting between the United States and Iran, although Rice had earlier indicated her willingness to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

A ministerial meeting of the International Compact with Iraq ( ICI) kicked off in this Egyptian Red Sea resort on Thursday morning, with attendance of some 60 nations and 12 regional and international organizations.

Source: Xinhua