All paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland should disband immediately, a cross-party agreement concluded today.
Political parties including Sinn Fein have approved a Democratic Unionist Party motion calling for the standing down of armed groups.
Representatives were meeting at Stormont near Belfast today at the Preparation for Government committee ahead of the November 24 deadline for restoration of devolution.
East Derry DUP MP Gregory Campbell said: "We are pleased that the representatives of all the parties, particularly Sin Fein, accepted the impact that such a move would have on community relations and that it should occur immediately."
The motion approved by all five parties stated: "That all parties support the standing-down of all paramilitary organisations with immediate effect as the most important step towards achieving a shared future."
Mr Campbell added: "Today's agreement, if taken forward and delivered upon in a practical way by the Provisional IRA and all other paramilitaries, could mark the beginning of some progress. "There must be more than simply words, actions are required."
A Sinn Fein spokesman said the party had been committed to non-violence for many years. "Sinn Fein's peace strategy has been built on the desire to take the gun out of Irish politics. "Today all we did was restate that commitment.
What we would like to see from people like the DUP is them being prepared to deal with the issues facing the community they represent."
PA