Sinn Féin has warned nationalists to be vigilant as fears mount that there will be further violence in the bloody feud within the Ulster Defence Association.
"There is a very real danger that as the violence escalates, loyalists will lash out in all directions and innocent people are killed," said North Belfast MLA Mr Gerry Kelly.
He was speaking after the weekend murder of UDA's south-east Antrim commander Mr John Gregg and UDA member Mr Robert Carson in Belfast. It is believed they were killed by elements within the notorious west Belfast "C Company", lead by Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair.
"Unfortunately for Catholics, there is a tendency when loyalist feuds like this end that they are immediately targeted, and I would urge people to remain vigilant," Mr Kelly added.
"There is a tendency for people in loyalism in these situations to lash out at innocent Catholics so they can, in inverted commas, prove themselves. People need to be careful. They need to be on their guard."
"This feuding only makes matters worse and is tearing the heart out of the loyalist and unionist community."
The cross-community Alliance Party condemned the weekend murders. Party leader and South Antrim MLA Mr David Ford said: "Murder is murder, and must be condemned no matter what the circumstances.
"While tensions within loyalism are now obviously very high, nothing will be resolved through further killing, and I would call on all sides to pull back from further violence."
SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan said after a meeting today with Chief Constable Hugh Orde that the loyalist feud underlined the need for parties to affirm collectively that the Belfast Agreement required an end to paramilitarism.
"There is no place for any paramilitaries in society," he insisted.
"The ongoing loyalist feud and the related murders are causing anxiety and fear amongst many in the nationalist community."
Mr Durkan said while police had shown "vigour" in tackling loyalist violence this week, they need to maintain that approach and remain vigilant.
"We have consistently cautioned that a political vacuum will benefit only the paramilitaries," the Foyle MLA argued.
"These killings should focus all parties on the need to come together to ensure the full implementation of the Agreement and that we get the institutions up and running as soon as possible."
PA