The Parades Commission will continue to review contentious marches in Northern Ireland throughout 2003 despite an independent report recommending that it should be replaced, it was confirmed tonight.

Two contentious Orange parades in Belfast were tonight given the go-ahead.

Loyalists blocked from walking through flashpoint areas of Belfast have accused the body ruling on controversial marches of carrying out a campaign of sectarian apartheid.

The Parades Commission in the North is allowing a contentious loyalist march to walk through the main peaceline in west Belfast on Saturday.

A loyalist Easter band parade has been given the green light to go through the flashpoint nationalist lower Ormeau Road in Belfast.