Politicians urged 'to stay out of violence' in Belfast

A Northern Ireland Assembly member is urging political figures to withdraw from the frontline of violence engulfing north Belfast.

A total of 24 RUC officers were wounded in gun and bomb attacks from rival republican and loyalist factions on a second night of rioting.

SDLP MLA Alban Maginness insists the two bitterly opposed communities should be left to resolve their problems.

He said: "Politicians should stand back for the moment and let communities start dialogue. Let them air their grievances, let them vent their problems. There will be a role for politicians but I think at the moment their role is not a very positive one."

Around 50 petrol bombs, paint bombs and heavy missile attacks were launched at riot police drafted into the Ardoyne area which has been the focus for much of the trouble.

Six blast bombs were hurled and the RUC said 10 shots were fired at officers and another 24 petrol bombs were recovered by security forces. Three people were arrested for public order offences. No baton rounds were fired, the RUC said.

Progressive Unionist Party Assembly member Billy Hutchinson claimed he was hurt yesterday by police during attempts to keep rioters at bay. He said he was going to make an official complaint to the Police Ombudsman about his treatment after going to hospital.

"Police officers beat men to the ground with their batons and shields and I had to get up and run," he claimed.

But Mr Maginness urged Mr Hutchinson and other prominent political representatives to "take a back seat".

The SDLP Assembly member also expressed cautious hopes that the worst of the trouble may be past. He said: "It's still a very volatile situation, but perhaps the poison has been drawn."