(VOVworld) - Syria's Prime Minister Imad Khamis said Sunday that his government is serious about the imminent Syrian talks in Astana, insisting that Damascus welcomes any initiative to restore peace and security in Syria.

President Bashar al-Assad met Faleh al-Fayad, the National Security Advisor and Envoy of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Jan 5  (Photo: EPA/VNA)

His words were reported by al-Mayadeen TV following the departure of the Syrian delegation to Astana to attend Monday’s meeting. This will be the Syrian government’s first direct talks with opposition groups to seek a political resolution of Syria’s 6-year conflict. The Prime Minister said the top priority of the meeting should be to drive foreign terrorists out of Syria.