Syrian troops killed at least 13 people, Sunday, when demonstrators took to the streets casting doubts on the regime’s commitment to an Arab peace deal.

Protesters in Harasta, just outside Damascus, described Assad as a “liar” who has no intention of implementing the Arab roadmap. The violence on Sunday came on the first day of the Muslim Eid al-Adha festival. Most of the deaths were in the central Syrian city of Homs.

The United States and France slammed Syria for pressing on with its crackdown on dissent. The French foreign minister, Alain Juppé, said the latest deaths had made it clear there was nothing more to expect from this regime and that despite its occasional announcements it will not commit to a programme of reforms.

In Washington, the U.S. State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, said: “We have not seen any evidence that the Assad regime intends to live up to the commitments that it’s made.”

Pro-democracy protesters insist their campaign is peaceful while the government says it has been battling armed terrorist groups.

The Arab League is to meet again next weekend to discuss the crisis.