Loyalists urge IRA to declare end to war

The Loyalist Commission, an umbrella group of unionist paramilitaries, politicians and clergymen, has called on the IRA to declare that its war is over.

In a statement last night, the commission, which includes representatives of the UDA and UVF, as well as two senior members of the Ulster Unionist Party, blamed the IRA for the current crisis in the peace process.

It also urged unionist politicians not to attend any revived Forum for Peace and Reconciliation in Dublin - something that had been suggested as a way to iron out current difficulties in the peace process.

UUP leader David Trimble has already ruled out participation in the forum.