Syrian opposition urges rebels to join key battle

Syria's main opposition alliance on Wednesday urged fighters from around the country to reinforce a rebel-held town under attack by President Bashar Assad's troops and their allies from the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group.

With its appeal, the Syrian National Coalition seeks to bolster embattled rebel forces in Qusair who for a fourth straight day came under fierce assault by government troops. The town, which is located near the Lebanon border and has been in opposition hands since early last year, lies at the heart of a government offensive to secure a strategic strip of land running from the capital, Damascus, to the Mediterranean coast and the country's seaports. (AP)