Loyalist questioned over Belfast arms find

The PSNI are today questioning a man about a weapons seizure linked to loyalist paramilitary tensions in Belfast.

The PSNI are today questioning a man about a weapons seizure linked to loyalist paramilitary tensions in Belfast.

He was arrested by police after guns, ammunition and petrol bombs were discovered during searches in the north of the city. Another man has already been charged.

Officers moved in on Friday night as a stand-off developed between the Ulster Defence Association and supporters of its ousted bosses, Andre and Ihab Shoukri. Shots were also reported to have been fired during the trouble in the Tynedale area.

Even though a new leadership has been installed by the UDA in north Belfast, a core loyal to the Shoukri brothers - both remanded in jail on a series of charges - have been threatening to provoke a new internal feud.

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After claiming homes had been attacked in the loyalist Ballysillan and Tigers Bay districts, the UDA staged a mass show of strength on Saturday night.

Up to 800 men were mobilised for a rally at which the outlawed grouping vowed not to let criminals destroy its neighbourhoods.

A statement from the UDA's so-called inner council said: "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."