Adams appeals for end to east Belfast riots

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has appealed for calm after four nights of rioting around the Catholic Short Strand district in east Belfast.

Five people were hospitalised with gunshot wounds after last night’s clashes and the security forces are preparing for more of the same tonight.

Mr Adams urged both nationalists and loyalists to stop the violence.

"However we got into this situation and whatever the nature and character of the violence, my main effort today is not to be partisan but simply to say that it must stop. The people who live there are living in situations which are totally and absolutely unacceptable," he said.

Mr Adams and Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine met Northern Secretary John Reid today in an effort to bring an end to the riots.

The pair held separate talks with Dr Reid after police said they suspect that the UDA, the UVF and the IRA were orchestrating the violence, which have left 19 police officers injured.

Gunshots were fired by both loyalists and nationalists during the disturbances.