IRA decommissions more arms

The IRA has decommissioned more of its extensive cache of weapons, according to a statement released by the republican group today.

The statement said the initiative was "unilateral" at a time when other parties to the Good Friday Agreement "are not fulfilling their obligations".

This latest move follows the IRA’s initial act of decommissioning last October, a move that ultimately saved the peace process and helped restore the Northern Assembly.

The IRA released no details of the latest decommissioning move, but said it was undertaken "so the peace process can be stabilised, sustained and strengthened".

There had been much speculation in recent weeks that the IRA would announce further moves on decommissioning to boost Sinn Fein’s chances in the upcoming general election.

Although no details of the act were released, the IRA said it followed detailed discussions with General John de Chastelain’s decommissioning body.

"This is a leadership initiative," the statement said.

"We are relying on the discipline and commitment of our support base and our volunteers. We remain committed to achieving our republican objectives.

"However, the securing of a democratic peace settlement is not solely a task for Irish republicans and we are mindful of the primary obligation of the British Government and of the unionist leadership.

"This process can work if there is the political will to make it succeed. The IRA has once again demonstrated that will."

The International Independent Decommissioning Commission later confirmed that it witnessed the destruction of a "varied and substantial" quantity of arms, ammunition and explosive material.

It said it has made an inventory of the arms in question, which will be presented to the Irish and British Governments when decommissioning by both republican and loyalist paramilitary groups is completed.

The IICD also said that details of when, where and how the arms were destroyed will remain confidential, in accordance with the wishes of the IRA.