The Loyalist Commission, comprising loyalist paramilitaries, politicians and Protestant clergy, has called on republican paramilitaries to join them in calming tensions in interface areas.
In a statement yesterday, the Commission admitted loyalist paramilitary involvement in sectarian clashes in north and east Belfast but insisted this had purely been in a "defensive capacity".
Welcoming the Church of Ireland Primate, Dr Robin Eames's, recent appeal for calm, the Commission said it hoped the appeal would be endorsed by the Catholic Primate, Dr Sean Brady.
It would "do all it can to encourage a period of calm within loyalist communities suffering from relentless attacks as a direct consequence of republicans' politically orchestrated tensions", the Commission added.
"Loyalist paramilitaries admit to being involved in interface trouble but only in a defensive capacity.
"There would be no need for their involvement if the Police Service of Northern Ireland were doing their job. Only honest and sincere communication across our communities can replace the blame game and the propaganda issued in support of unacceptable behaviour on both sides," the Commission concluded.
A Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast, Mr Gerry Kelly, reacted cautiously to the statement saying the Commission's previous so-called "no first strike" policy had proved worthless.
"Unfortunately nationalists will greet this latest statement with great scepticism based on the actions of loyalist paramilitary groups over the summer.
"Word and deed are equally important. What we must have is calm within which dialogue can take place," he added.
There was no loyalist protest against Catholic pupils returning to Holy Cross Primary School in Ardoyne for their first day of term yesterday. However, a nearby primary school, Our Lady of Mercy School on the Crumlin Road, was damaged in an arson attack on Sunday night. A number of petrol bombs were also thrown from the nationalist Alliance Avenue area into loyalist Glenbryn Park.