THE PARADES Commission has stood by its original decision to allow a British army "homecoming" parade and a Sinn Féin protest to take place on Sunday morning in Belfast.
The commission, which rules on contentious parades, said it would not review the decision as there was no new evidence of significance to force such a move.
Nationalists had called for a review as fears grew that there would be street violence when British soldiers, republican protesters and supporters of both sides converge on the city centre on Sunday morning.
The commission's chairman Roger Poole explained the decision to allow both parade and protest to go ahead.
"There are very narrow grounds upon which we can review decisions and, in this instance, the commission did not deem that there were sufficient grounds for a review," he said.
"We would ask that those who intend to come to the city on Sunday to review their own positions and redouble their efforts to take tension out of this issue in advance of the parade," he added.
"Belfast deserves a peaceful weekend and the citizens and traders in the city are entitled to a trouble-free day. Anyone intent on causing or contributing to civil unrest should stay away."
Mr Poole referred to a letter written by the army's general officer commanding (GOC) to troops who were based in Afghanistan and who are taking part in the parade. Maj Gen Chris Brown urged soldiers and their friends and families to act with dignity and respect during the parade.
He said the event was not a celebration of war, nor was it an excuse to deepen divisions in Northern Ireland. He also explicitly recognised the right of people to hold contrary views and to express them in public.
"I acknowledge the helpful comments from the GOC of the British army who has recognised that not everyone in Northern Ireland supports the army and that there is a legitimate right to a legal protest," Mr Poole added.
"It is not helpful that some political and community leaders continue to call for either the homecoming parade or the legally notified protest to be banned." He called for efforts to reduce tension around this parade and protest.
"There is an onus on those political and community leaders in a position of influence to demonstrate leadership between now and Sunday through their words, their actions and their commitment to non-violent actions."