Opposition in Syria: An election amid war is "impossible"

A familiar sound echoes in Damascus.

Destruction follows as smoke rises in the latest clashes in Syria.

New amateur video appears to show intensifying fighting between rebels and Syrian government forces.

Reuters cannot independently verify the video, which was posted on a social media website.

The fighting comes a month before the country holds its first multi-candidate presidential vote in a decade.

A leading opposition figure though says the elections will be impossible.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HASSAN ABDEL-AZIM, HEAD OF SYRIAN NATIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE, SAYING:

"The elections cannot be held in conditions where there is no security, no stability or no election agenda. This is impossible in Syria."

He says the crisis will only end with a peaceful solution.

President Bashar al-Assad, meanwhile, is making plans for re-election.

He appeared on state television Tuesday, meeting with the families of dozens of men killed in the