More than six hours of intensive negotiations between the main pro-agreement parties and the British government in London yesterday failed to reach an immediate resolution of current political difficulties.
The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, and the Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, held separate discussions at Downing Street with the First Minister, Mr David Trimble, the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, the Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, and the Sinn Fein leader, Mr Gerry Adams.
Officials from Dublin and London also held discussions at Downing Street and these are expected to continue today.
The interlocking issues of policing, decommissioning and demilitarisation formed the core of the talks.
After his discussions with Mr Blair, Mr Adams indicated negotiations were moving "an inch at a time".
However, with all sides recognising that a British general election could take place in the spring, which could mean the talks take a back seat, Mr Trimble warned that there "isn't an awful lot of time to play with" to reach agreement.
British sources said the talks were "ambitious" and Mr Blair had established good reason to carry them further. They insisted the talks were not working to any deadline.
Emerging after more than six hours of "intense and frank" discussions, the Sinn Fein delegation said Mr Blair held the key to resolving the difficulties. Mr Adams said London must provide "transparency, certitude and transparent guarantees" and accept the legitimacy of the Belfast Agreement. If it did not, the prospect of reaching agreement was "very limited".
Sinn Fein's talks with Mr Blair and Mr Mandelson focused on policing. Mr Adams said it was now time for the British government to face down the "securocrats and the militarists" and those who wanted to control a new form of policing in the North.
After an hour of talks, Mr Trimble said the republican position on decommissioning was "unsatisfactory" and republicans were "still prevaricating" on assurances given last May that IRA weapons would be put beyond use.
He said he was hopeful there would be progress but could not give any assurances.
On policing, Mr Trimble said that, with the establishment of the Assembly, nationalists had to share in the responsibilities of society as a whole and must not "dodge the column" on the policing issue.
"The longer this goes on, the more damage it will do to policing; this prolonged uncertainty is thoroughly bad and it should be resolved as soon as possible."
Mr Hume described the talks as "very in-depth" after his team left Downing Street after two hours. He said he hoped there would be a "positive response" from Mr Blair on resolving difficulties on policing, demilitarisation and decommissioning.
Mr Mallon described the talks as "tough, detailed negotiations", with both sides discussing all the issues "point by point".