Trimble will return if weapons are handed over

David Trimble says that he is prepared to take up his position as the First

Minister of the Northern Assembly again if the IRA starts to hand over its

arms.

The UUP leader followed through on his threatened resignation at midnight

last night, handing over the position to his Ulster Unionist colleague,

Reg Empey.

Mr Trimble's announcement that he intended to step down sent

shock waves throughout the North and severely hampered the peace process.

However, he says that provided Republican paramilitary groups such as the

IRA begin to hand over their weapons, he will resume his position and continue

the quest for peace in the North.

The Taoiseach and the British Prime Ministern have been holding talks with the political parties over the past week and despite Mr Trimble's resignation they are still hopeful of resolving issues such as policing, disarmament and demilitarisation.