Northern Ireland prepares for Clinton visit

Bill Clinton is due in Northern Ireland for his first visit since leaving the White House.

The former US President is due to visit Magee College in Derry before meeting the city's councillors and assembly members at the Guildhall.

During his two-day visit he is also due to travel to Enniskillen, where he will visit the scene of the 1987 IRA Remembrance Day bomb which killed 11 people.

Mr Clinton will have a peace centre dedicated to him in recognition of efforts to promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

He will receive an honorary law degree from Queen's University, Belfast.

Mr Clinton has been in the Ireland since Sunday.

At a gala dinner in Dublin last night, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern announced a centre for American studies would be established in honour of the former president and in recognition of his work.

Mr Clinton has hinted that he would like to have a continuing role in the Northern Ireland peace process.

The former President is expected to meet several senior figures from the peace process during his visit including Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble, SDLP leader John Hume and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams.