Up to 800 loyalists staged a rally in Belfast last night as new paramilitary tensions deepened.
The demonstration followed a weapons seizure linked to fresh trouble between rival factions in the Ulster Defence Association.
Guns, ammunition and petrol bombs were seized by police during searches aimed at defusing the situation in the north of the city. Two men were arrested and one later charged by detectives involved in the operations which were centred on the Tynedale district.
UDA statement
Police also spent the day investigating claims that shots were fired in the area. The trouble has been blamed on a developing stand-off between separate elements of the UDA.
With the outlawed organisation announcing on Friday a new leadership to replace ousted north Belfast chiefs Andre and Ihab Shoukri, fears have been growing that supporters of the toppled brothers may ignite new violence.
As the stand-off continued, the UDA's inner council mobilised a big gathering in the west of the city.
A statement was read out declaring that the organisation would not allow any criminals to deter it from achieving its goal of a lasting peace for its community.
"There were members who used their position to achieve personal gain and fortune, especially through drug trafficking and drug sales," it said.
"This has resulted in those ex-loyalists attempting to protect their fiefdoms by whatever means available to them."
The UDA urged the Police Service of Northern Ireland to stop criminals operating in north Belfast but went on to claim that a series of attacks in the Ballysillan and Tigers Bay areas had been carried out.
"The organisation will not stand by and allow its community and its members to be attacked after 35 years of conflict with the Provisional IRA and republicans," the statement continued.
"We have fought the IRA, the RUC and our own army. If need be we will fight drug dealers.
"We believe that it's the duty of the PSNI to influence law and order so we can all live in peace and safety."
Frankie Gallagher of the Ulster Political Research Group which advises the UDA said between 600 and 800 loyalists attended the rally.
He stressed it was a peaceful gathering, adding: "It was to demonstrate that the UDA is capable and willing to defend its people and its communities, but at the same time reluctant to go back."
Police chiefs, meanwhile, vowed there would be no let-up in their patrols throughout the area.
Superintendent Nigel Grimshaw said: "We will continue to police north Belfast and work to disrupt the activities of those intent on causing fear and intimidation in communities. "Those with influence on the local community who want to see an end to alleged tensions in the area should work to do so now."