Video: Top News

video transcript

Government forces appear to shell a rebel stronghold in Syria as residents run for cover. The video which could not be independently verified by Reuters comes as efforts are underway for peace talks. In Geneva the Arab League holds an emergency session on Syria with Secretary General Nabil Elaraby hoping for the best. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE ARAB LEAGUE, NABIL ELARABY, SAYING: "There are no other ways to solve the Syrian crisis except this meeting. Two weeks ago the US and Russia announced plans to bring the Syrian government and opposition together - possibly in Geneva in June - for a peace conference. At an Opposition meeting in Spain the former head of the Syrian National Coalition signaled he could talk to the government. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MOAZ AL-KHATIB, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE SYRIAN NATIONAL COALITION (SNC), SAYING: "The humanitarian suffering of the Syrian people is unprecedented. That is why all the opposition forces do not object to finding a political solution to the crisis. But this solution cannot come at the cost of the sacrifices of the Syrian people." The prospect of peace talks may offer hope, but on the ground the violence is relentless. Little has been spared in a war that has already killed more than 80,000 people leaving a legacy of loss and destruction.