UDA announcement welcomed by SDLP and UUP

Nationalist SDLP Assembly member Alban Maginness has given a cautious welcome to the UDA's announcement that they have begun a 12-month ceasefire.

The North Belfast MLA said that while it has to be welcomed as a positive move by the

UDA, it must be greeted with caution.

"We have been here before and they have never delivered. We will judge them by their actions and not by their statements," he said.

"Their actions must be carefully monitored by the security forces and the Government to see if they are sincere and committed to the ceasefire. However, anybody who has come through the hell of the past number of months must express relief that these people are now committed in some way.''

Meanwhile the UDA's statement was received positively in the Unionist community. Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said it was "a positive and welcome development".