Adams meets Ervine to ease sectarian tension

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is to meet Progressive Unionist leader David Ervine in Stormont today in an effort to ease sectarian tensions in the Short Strand area of east Belfast.

Both men met Northern Secretary John Reid separately yesterday to discuss ways to calm the area after four nights of violent riots.

At least eight people were shot during the weekend riots and at least 19 police officers were injured.

The police said the violence was orchestrated by paramilitaries from the UVF, the UDA and the IRA.