No sign of relief in Syria as Amateur video which could not be independently verified by Reuters shows ongoing shelling in various parts of the country

The European Union decided to let an arms embargo on Syria expire -- although France and Britain say they had not yet decided to arm Syrian rebels.

On Wednesday Chancellor Angela Merkel made it clear Germany would be offering no arms.

(SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING:

"I would like to say that Germany will under no circumstances send weapons to Syria -- a country in civil war -- no matter how other countries deal with the arms embargo."

Merkel is hoping for progress at a proposed peace conference next month.

(SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING:

"We should do everything we can to achieve a political solution because the real solution for Syria is political. That's why I count on the Syria conference taking place."

The conflict in Syria