Northern Ireland's politicians were tonight preparing for another week of intense negotiations as hopes of a significant peace process breakthrough rose.
Sources close to the talks to revive power sharing at Stormont said progress was being made in bridging the gaps between the Reverend Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein.
But they also insisted: "Everything is at a delicate stage right now.
"That's why the DUP and Sinn Fein are anxious to play everything publicly close to their chest. One wrong phrase and it could all go belly up."
After Mr Paisley reported on British and Irish proposals to revive Stormont to the DUP Assembly team, party chairman Maurice Morrow said their MLAs believed the talks had advanced.
The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA confirmed: "At a full meeting of the DUP Assembly Group this morning, there was a unanimous positive reaction to the report by the party leader on the negotiations."
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams today also updated party colleagues on the state of the talks.
It is understood the Democratic Unionists are still anxious to pin down republicans on a proposed IRA disarmament move.
The DUP has been pressing for decommissioning to be more transparent, with possibly photographic or video evidence to increase confidence in the unionist community.
The party has also been focusing on the timescale for the rolling out of a deal.
Republicans have also been pressing for greater clarity, with the party anxious to ensure there is no watering down in the powers of devolved ministers and the cross border bodies.
As the DUP and Sinn Fein considered how to get the best deal for them, Democratic Unionist MEP Jim Allister reaffirmed in a speech in Belfast the party's need for paramilitaries to abandon violence.