Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                        Syrian Town of Qusair Under Fire

   Syrian activists say at least 13 people died Sunday in a government
   assault on the rebel-held town of Qusair, near the border with Lebanon.
   Qusair has been under fire for weeks as government troops seek to
   re-capture it with airstrikes and shelling. The town is strategically
   important because it links the capital, Damascus, with the coast.
   Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says he will not step down
   before next year`s elections.
   Mr. Assad`s comments were published Saturday in the Argentine newspaper
   Clarin. They were the first about his political future since the United
   States and Russia agreed this month to try to bring the Syrian
   government and opposition together for talks about a peaceful
   resolution to Syria`s conflict.
   Washington and Moscow have backed opposite sides in the conflict.
   More than 70,000 people have been killed and several million displaced
   since the uprising against Mr. Assad erupted in March 2011.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-town-of-qusair-under-fire/1663
   858.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/syrian-town-of-qusair-under-fire/1663858.html