Former US president Mr Bill Clinton has urged people in the North to remain on the path of peace and ensure there are no more paramilitary atrocities.
He was speaking in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, yesterday after visiting the site of the Provisional IRA Remembrance Day bombing in which 11 people were killed in 1987.
Earlier, he had travelled to Omagh, Co Tyrone, to meet relatives of the 29 people who died in the "Real IRA" 1998 bomb.
About 1,000 people gathered to greet the former president in Enniskillen.
Accompanied by his daughter Chelsea, he told the cheering crowd he was delighted to be in Co Fermanagh where his ancestors are said to hail from.
He said the North had undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years.
"I ask you to take pride in the long, hard road this wonderful country has travelled since the dark day that the bomb exploded in Enniskillen.
"I ask you to stiffen your resolve to work through difficulties and frustrations that remain, to keep going on the path of peace."
Mr Clinton unveiled a stained glass window at the new William Jefferson Clinton International Peace Centre on the site of the 1987 bomb blast.
"I don't believe presidents should be given awards or have buildings named after them because the job is honour enough. But I have to say to have this done in Northern Ireland, in the county from which my mother came, is an honour which I am glad to receive.".
He said the Belfast Agreement had not been fully implemented and he warned people in the North not to allow the situation to deteriorate as it had in the Middle East.
"Hundreds have died, thousands have been wounded, people have lost their hope for a peaceful and united future because they walked away from an agreement that was imperfect.
"They could have given their children 95 per cent of the future they dreamed of but they walked away. "This simply robbed children of the right to build their own dreams and not be trapped in their parents' and grandparents' yesterdays."
People should take pride in their differences, he said.
"We should celebrate them but I have lived long enough now to know that the only way you can celebrate your differences, and have the self-confidence to do it and let other people celebrate theirs, is to know that our common humanity is even more important".
Ms Margaret Veach, whose parents were killed in the bomb, said she had mixed feelings about his visit. While there was a carnival atmosphere in the town, it was a very emotional day for the bereaved.
Mr Clinton and Chelsea were presented with Belleek pottery. Hundreds of stars and stripes were displayed and many children had US flags painted on their faces. The former president said it was a joy to see.
Earlier, Mr Clinton had rearranged his schedule to hold a private meeting in the Ulster-American Folk Park in Omagh with the bereaved and injured of the "Real IRA" bomb.
The meeting took place after he was contacted by Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son, Aidan, was killed.
The relatives are hoping to take a civil court action against men they allege were involved in the bombing.
However, so far they have managed to raise only £250,000 for the case. Mr Gallagher said that at least double that amount was necessary.
Mr Clinton, who met the injured and bereaved on a previous trip, said it was good to see them again.
"A few were still in hospital last time I was here," he said.
Mr Gallagher said the former president had promised to do whatever he could to support their civil action. "We are absolutely delighted," he said.
Mr Stanley McCombe, whose wife, Ann, was among the victims, said Mr Clinton had been "100 per cent supportive, 100 per cent genuine" and had asked them to make contact with his office when they take their campaign to the US next month.