Adams in London for talks

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams is expected to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair during a visit to London today and tomorrow.

The trip is part of ongoing efforts to lay the groundwork for the make-or-break summit at Leeds Castle later this month.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley is also expected to meet Mr Blair in London on Wednesday, while the British Prime Minister and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern are due to discuss the situation among themselves on Friday.

It remains unclear if a deal can be reached at the Leeds Castle summit, which is scheduled to begin on September 16.

The DUP is demanding complete IRA decommissioning and an end to paramilitary activity, while Sinn Féin is demanding that unionists commit themselves to sharing power with nationalists.

It also wants the Irish and British governments to implement all outstanding aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, which the DUP wants to renegotiate.

Some reports have suggested that the Leeds Castle talks may be delayed if the Irish and British governments decide that DUP and Sinn Féin are not ready to make a deal.