The United States has condemned the ongoing violence in Syria, and urged President Bashar al-Assad's government to end deadly actions against peaceful protesters.

In a statement Monday, the State Department said the actions of Syria's security forces are “reprehensible,” and include “barbaric shootings,” torture and other human rights abuses.

Rights groups say Syrian forces have killed at least 1,600 civilians during a crackdown against more than four months of anti-government protests. The government has blamed much of the violence on terrorists and Islamists who it says have killed hundreds of security personnel.

The State Department called on Syria to respect the protester's demands for a peaceful transition to democracy.

Mr. Assad has made a series of overtures to try to ease the unrest, including lifting emergency laws and endorsing a draft law to allow the formation of political parties in addition to the ruling Ba'ath party.

The efforts have failed to quell the protest movement, as critics reject his gestures as either symbolic or too late.