Trimble and Durkan head to Washington

The leaders of Northern Ireland's power sharing executive are heading to Washington for a series of meetings with senior figures in George W Bush's administration.

First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan are due to brief Condoleeza Rice of the National Security Council at the White House on the peace process and devolution.

They will also meet President Bush's special adviser on Northern Ireland, Richard Haass.

It is also hoped the Ulster Unionist leader and his counterpart in the SDLP will meet US Secretary of State, Colin Powell.

The meetings will be the highlight of the third day of a week-long visit to the US.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness is due to arrive in New York for a brief visit following party leader Gerry Adams's visit to the city.