Unionist politicians have said it is most unlikely that loyalist paramilitaries will decommission in the short term. They were speaking after Mr David Trimble asked them on Monday night to consider their position on the arms issue.
The Ulster Unionist leader met the Loyalist Commission, which includes members of the UVF, the UDA, and the Red Hand Commando. It was set up to offer political analysis to the paramilitaries.
The commission invited Mr Trimble and others, including the Methodist president, the Rev Harold Good, to provide their analysis of the current political situation.
Mr Trimble said yesterday: "During discussions I urged the loyalists to consider fully their position on decommissioning. I asked them to consider, within their separate organisations, my assessment of Northern Ireland's political development."
The Methodist president said he was encouraged by "the honest and open nature" of the discussions.
"Throughout these years of conflict we have consistently stressed how important it is to talk to people - whether you agree with them or not," he said.
Mr David Ervine, the leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, the UVF's political wing, welcomed Mr Trimble's meeting with the Loyalist Commission but said decommissioning was unlikely in the short term.
"Loyalists are still talking to the decommissioning body but I don't see anything more than that happening in the near future. The IRA sold their weapons for certain political gains within Northern Ireland. Those who are asking loyalists to decommission should remember that loyalists do not do something simply because the IRA does."
Mr Ervine said loyalist decommissioning could only take place within "a calm and rational unionism" which carefully examined life in the aftermath of the Belfast Agreement.
UUP Assembly member Mr Fred Cobain also believed imminent decommissioning was unlikely, but he welcomed his party leader's meeting with the commission.
"Decommissioning is a voluntary act and unless loyalist paramilitaries can be persuaded, it won't happen."
Sinn Féin policing spokesman Mr Gerry Kelly said Mr Trimble must convince loyalist paramilitaries to end their campaign of bomb attacks against Catholics.