(VOVworld) - Syria's President Bashar al-Assad told French parliamentarians on Sunday that he is optimistic about the new peace talks planned for later this month in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (Photo: AFP/VNA)

According to Thierry Mariani, a member of a visiting French delegation, President al-Assad said he is willing to negotiate with the 100 rebel groups fighting the Syrian government, excluding jihadist organizations. The Syrian leader dismissed all accusations of war crimes conducted by his forces.