US envoy to hold talks in the North

US President George W Bush is to send a special envoy to the North for a series of meetings between nationalist and unionist politicians.

White House advisor Richard Haas is due to meet Northern Secretary John Reid on Monday before travelling to the six counties.

Mr Haas will assess the state of the Irish peace process amid escalating loyalist attacks.

He is also expected to discuss the arrest of three Irishmen in Colombia and their alleged link to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.