The political progress that has been achieved in the North would not have been occurred without the British Army, a senior unionist claimed today.

Soldiers will pull out of south Armagh today on a day of reflection for fallen comrades, the army said.

Another major milestone in the North’s return to normality was being reached today with the last soldiers leaving the former IRA stronghold of South Armagh.

Another major milestone in the North’s return to normality will be reached tomorrow when the last British soldiers are pulled out of South Armagh.

The Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment are to disappear from Northern Ireland under the British government’s demilitarisation plans, it was confirmed today.