Haass urges republicans to move towards 'bold initiative'

The US envoy to Ireland, Richard Haass, says the US expects republicans to move towards a "bold initiative".

He was speaking following a meeting with SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, who also urged republicans to make the moves necessary to break the political deadlock.

Mr Durkan said republicans knew what they had to do to restore devolution and should move to do so now.

Mr Haass is holding talks with most of the main political parties as efforts continue to restore devolution. He will hold separate discussions with Alliance, the Progressive Unionist Party, the Women's Coalition and Sinn Fein.

On Monday, he met Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy and the Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble, in London.