Republicans will end hostilities, says US group

The National Committee on American Foreign Policy says it is convinced republicanism has committed itself to a complete cessation of all activities inconsistent with the Good Friday Agreement.

It says it is now time for the other pro-Agreement political parties to carry out the responsibilities they undertook when they signed the Belfast agreement five years ago.

It is asking the unionist community to demand that their political leaders and paramilitary forces take the necessary steps for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.