The feud between rival loyalist paramilitary groups in the North, which has claimed the lives of five men, is finally over, according to a statement released today by the Loyalist Commission.

Methodist minister Harold Good has has said he is "certain, totally certain" that the IRA has disarmed.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary David Lidington will hold talks today with Sinn Féin chief Martin McGuinness and a group involving loyalist paramilitaries.

The British government today announced plans for new talks with a body that includes loyalist paramilitaries in a bid to stop Northern Ireland plunging into a summer of violence.

Republicans cannot implement their peace process obligations “in isolation” while unionists fail to use their influence on loyalist paramilitaries to disarm, Sinn Féin chairman Mitchel McLaughlin claimed today.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern is to be commended for his positive and realistic approach to last night’s face-to-face meeting with a delegation from the political wing of the UDA, the North’s most lethal loyalist paramilitary organisation.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern tonight promised to support deprived loyalist and republican communities in a bid to ease tensions.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has confirmed that he is planning to meet representatives of the Loyalist Commission in the near future.

The Loyalist Commission, an umbrella group of unionist politicians, protestant clergy and loyalist community workers and paramilitaries, has called on the UDA to say if it was involved in the disappearance of Alan McCullough last Wednesday.

Loyalists have called for more funding for working class Protestant areas in Northern Ireland.

Loyalist paramilitary representatives held talks with a senior Government minister in Northern Ireland tonight in a bid to secure more funding for their community.

Loyalists have described their first meeting with the North's Chief Constable Hugh Orde as constructive and worthwhile.

Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde tonight met a delegation of loyalists, including paramilitary representatives, to discuss their concerns about crime and policing in Protestant areas.

Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde is due to meet loyalist paramilitary representatives tonight.

The Loyalist Commission, an umbrella group of unionist paramilitaries, politicians and clergymen, has called on the IRA to declare that its war is over.

New talks to end a savage feud between rival loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland have begun, it emerged tonight.

Police in north Belfast have informed a pregnant Catholic woman that her life is in danger from loyalists, according to a local Sinn Fein councillor.

Sinn Fein today accused loyalist paramilitaries of "ethnic cleansing'' after a number of Catholic homes were badly damaged.

Paramilitary violence is destroying the chances of a better future for the people of Belfast, Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid said tonight.

Supporters of the Good Friday Agreement in Unionism must assert themselves in defending and promoting the accord, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams insisted this evening.

A COMMISSION which includes loyalist paramilitaries yesterday called on republican terror groups to join them in achieving calm along sectarian flashpoint areas.

A fresh bid for peace in Belfast’s sectarian flashpoint areas was launched tonight as loyalists invited the IRA to join them in halting all street violence.

The Loyalist Commission, an umbrella group of loyalist paramilitaries, churchmen and politicians, has blamed republicans for almost nightly street violence in Belfast.

Loyalist community leaders today faced calls from Belfast’s Lord Mayor to remove flags from the lamp posts of mixed areas in the south of city.

Extra police and soldiers are expected to be drafted into north Belfast tomorrow in preparation for a controversial loyalist parade through a nationalist area.

Sinn Fein Assemblyman Gerry Kelly held a private meeting with the chairman of the Loyalist Commission to discuss ways to end sectarian tension in Belfast, it emerged today.

Sinn Fein and the Loyalist Commission held an hour of talks on Tuesday in an effort to reduce sectarian tension in Belfast, it emerged today.

A senior loyalist today rejected claims by Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams that British intelligence has urged the Ulster Defence Association to re-group under one supreme commander.

British intelligence has urged the Ulster Defence Association to regroup under one supreme commander, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams claimed today.

Nearly 1,000 Belfast health workers were today staging a one-day strike after a death threat was issued to a member of staff.

Intense efforts tonight failed to stop nearly 1,000 Belfast health workers staging a one-day strike after a death threat was issued to a member of staff.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has accused Reg Empey, the deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, of political hypocrisy over his continual criticism of the republican movement.

Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness has called for talks with loyalist paramilitaries in an effort to end sectarian violence throughout the North.

Tony Blair is meeting Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble in Downing Street today, 24 hours before Mr Blair flies to Belfast in a bid to avert another full-blown political crisis in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid was expected to meet senior loyalists in Belfast today to discuss growing sectarian tensions in the city.

An independent team of observers is needed to establish who is responsible for triggering street clashes along one of Belfast’s sectarian interfaces, it was claimed today.

The Loyalist Commission, a body including paramilitary representatives, today issued a statement agreeing no first strike in flashpoint areas of Belfast.

A loyalist initiative to reduce tensions in Belfast has been put on hold after a fresh bout of rioting in the east of the city last night.

The launch of a loyalist initiative aimed at reducing tensions in Belfast was put on hold tonight when fresh violence broke out in the east of the city.

The Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble, says he discussed decommissioning when he met members of the Loyalist Commission yesterday.

Northern Secretary John Reid has confirmed that he has held talks with Protestant church leaders in an effort to halt sectarian loyalist violence.

Northern Secretary John Reid has confirmed that he has held face-to-face talks with loyalist paramilitaries, despite declaring last year that the British government no longer recognises the UDA and LVF ceasefires.

Conservative Party Northern Ireland spokesman Quentin Davies today held talks with loyalist paramilitary representatives as part of new moves to secure decommissioning.

Loyalist residents in north Belfast today vowed to defuse tensions in their area by ensuring protests against Catholic schoolchildren and their parents pass off peacefully.