Nine men were arrested today and three weapons recovered after a major police operation in a loyalist estate on the outskirts of north Belfast.

A man is due to appear in court in Downpatrick today charged with possession of a gun with intent to endanger life.

A 34-year-old man was due in court today charged in connection with an attempted firebomb attack in Belfast City Centre.

A large firebomb discovered during a security operation in Belfast could have caused widespread devastation in the city centre, police said tonight.