CS gas used in PSNI raid on UDA meeting in Belfast

Police in the North have used CS gas rounds during a dramatic operation to break up a meeting of loyalist paramilitaries at a bar in north Belfast.

Scores of heavily-armed PSNI officers in riot gear surrounded the Alexander Bar in the Tiger's Bay area of the city for several hours during last night's operation.

CS gas canisters were fired through the windows of the pub while members of the Ulster Defence Association were rehearsing a show of strength planned for tonight.

Loyalist sources say several senior UDA figures were among 17 people arrested during the raid.

The PSNI said all those detained were being questioned about "serious crime".