Syria on Thursday welcomed a US-Russian initiative to find a political solution to its conflict, counting on ally Moscow to stand firm, the Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Syria on Thursday welcomed a US-Russian initiative to find a political solution to its conflict, counting on ally Moscow to stand firm, the Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Syria welcomes the US-Russian rapprochement," it said.

"It is confident that the Russian position, which is based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, will not change," the statement read.

"Only the Syrian people will decide on their future and the constitutional system of their country, with no foreign interference," the ministry added.

Russia is a top ally of the regime in Damascus and has staunchly resisted any bid to oust President Bashar al-Assad from power.

Washington, by contrast, has backed the violent unrest by supporting the militant opposition groups, with Kerry saying Thursday that all sides were working to "effect a transition government by mutual consent of both sides.”

Then, while saying it was "impossible for me as an individual" to imagine Assad continuing to govern, Kerry said only the Syrian people could decide.

On Tuesday, Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov said they would seek to convene an international conference to build on a six-point accord agreed in Geneva last year.

The agreement aimed at finding a path towards a transitional government but made no mention of Assad's departure, which the opposition says is non-negotiable.

Syrian pro-regime daily Al-Watan on Thursday quoted an official as welcoming the effort and saying Russia's stance would be adopted internationally.

"All the capitals of the world will sooner or later come around to Russia's position because this position is based on international law and the right of people to decide their fate without foreign intervention."