Alliance Party councillor Mr Tom Ekin was last night elected Lord Mayor of Belfast and promised to make ethnic minorities feel more at home.
Mr Ekin, a 63-year-old businessman was chosen to succeed the outgoing SDLP first citizen Mr Martin Morgan at a meeting in City Hall. Sinn Fein councillor Mr Joe O'Donnell was voted in as his deputy.
Mr Ekin's selection marked the culmination of a seven-year career as an elected representative for the cross community party which has seen him initiate an anti-litter drive to improve Belfast's appearance.
After he received the chain of office he revealed his theme would be "unlocking Belfast's potential".
Belfast's image has taken a battering in recent months with rising levels of race hate attacks forcing Asian families to flea their homes in parts of the city.
But Mr Ekin insisted it was time a more positive image was sent out of the work by elected representatives to end the intimidation.
He said: "While I will take that forward we also need to be aware that we must make Belfast a more welcoming place for those who can feel isolated or insecure, such as ethnic minorities."
Mr Ekin, who also promised to do all he could to ensure another peaceful marching season this summer, spoke of his determination to embark on a major clean up.
PA