Final key element of North peace deal agreed after 120 hours of talks

THE North pulled back from political paralysis last night as the last key element of the peace process was finally agreed.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown heralded the deal on devolving police powers to Belfast as an historic moment which closed the chapter on decades of violence.

In a landmark deal hammered out after 120 hours of tough negotiations the DUP agreed to restore justice and policing to local control in the North from April 12 in return for a fast-track review of how Orange Order parade routes are decided.

Flanked by his British counterpart as the agreement was unveiled at Hillsborough Castle, Mr Cowen said the agreement laid the foundations for a new future: “That better future must be built on mutual respect for people of different traditions, equality and tolerance and respect for each other’s political aspirations and cultural expressions and inheritance.”

Mr Brown went on to declare the deal as an “inspirational” document and the foundation for lasting peace.

“This moment and this agreement belong to the people of Northern Ireland, all of the people, and now more than ever before so does their future,” he said.

It also emerged last night that US President Barack Obama would welcome the Taoiseach along with Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness at the White House in Washington on March 17, to mark the traditional celebrations for St Patrick’s Day.

The deal came after two weeks of round-the-clock negotiations and lifts the threat of Sinn Féin collapsing power-sharing and forcing fresh Assembly elections, which would have plunged the North into political turmoil and uncertainty.

The DUP secured its key objective of the abolition of the Parades Commission as First Minister Robinson faced down threats of rebellion in his own ranks.

However, despite the air of optimism, Mr Robinson refused to shake the hand of deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in public, insisting such an act would be a “stunt”.

Leader of the hardline Traditional Unionist Voice, Jim Allister, accused the DUP of betrayal and turning from strong men to “snowmen who melted once the heat came on”.

DUP support for devolution in an Assembly vote next month hinges on a three week review of parading delivering reforms on how marches are routed.