Syrian security forces have fired on demonstrators in several towns, as weekly Friday protests continued despite the government's acceptance of an Arab League peace initiative.

Activists say forces killed at least one protester in the Damascus area. Earlier, they said at least three people were killed in Homs after tanks renewed shelling in the central town.

On Thursday, activists blamed pro-government forces for at least 12 deaths in Homs.

On Wednesday, the Arab League brokered a plan to halt violence and convene talks between the government and the opposition.

The plan called for Syrian authorities to immediately withdraw security forces from the streets, stop violence against demonstrators and release all detainees jailed since protests began.

In Cairo Thursday, members of the opposition Syrian National Council met with the Arab League chief to discuss the way forward. Council member Samir al-Nashar said the group did not discuss possible dialogue with the Syrian government but instead asked that Mr. Assad step down. The SNC then offered to “engage in negotiations” to move from an authoritarian government to a democratic one.

The United Nations says the number of people killed during the eight-month-old uprising against Mr. Assad has topped 3,000.

The Syrian government has blamed much of the unrest — including deadly violence in Homs this week — on “terrorists” and gunmen.