Syria's vice-president met an Iranian envoy, ending weeks of defection rumours.<br /><br />President Bashar al-Assad was also shown on state TV meeting an Iranian delegation.<br /><br />At the same time, forces loyal to Assad are still trying to regain control of major cities. <br />Shelling has been reported in Homs and Deraa.<br /><br />Activists say hundreds of bodies have been found in a town outside Damascus.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Gerald Tan has the latest.
