Sinn Féin has been involved in high-level talks with loyalists in an attempt to end the violence in north Belfast.
Details of the meeting emerged as fears grew of a further confrontation between nationalists, loyalists and the security forces at a controversial Apprentice Boys march past Ardoyne tomorrow.
Sinn Féin sources confirmed that local Assembly member, Mr Gerry Kelly, earlier this week met the Rev Mervyn Gibson, the chairman of the loyalist commission, a group which includes paramilitary representatives.
They said the meeting took place in an effort to persuade the UDA to stop its campaign of sectarian violence against Catholics. "The meeting lasted for about an hour-and-a-half and they spoke about loyalist violence," a source said.
"It was very frank. The hope is they will meet again. It is a sign progress is being made."
Mr Gibson, a Presbyterian minister in east Belfast, would not comment on the meeting.
He was widely criticised recently for remarks he made which were seen by some observers as excusing loyalist violence.
The loyalist commission is made up of politicians, church leaders and paramilitary representatives.
It aims to ease tensions within the loyalist community. Several other politicians have met the group, including the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, and the North's First Minister, Mr David Trimble.
Dissident republicans last night criticised Sinn Féin's decision to meet the loyalists as "shameful". Sources in both the Continuity IRA and the "Real" IRA in Ardoyne said it was the duty of republicans to defend their community, not "kowtow" to its attackers.
Mr Billy Hutchinson of the Progressive Unionist Party, the UVF's political wing, described the meeting as positive.
"Any moves to take the guns off the streets in north Belfast and prevent violence from any quarter has to be welcomed," he said.
Sinn Féin has accused the UDA of attempting to provoke sectarian violence ahead of tomorrow's parade.
There are concerns the group could attack the Ardoyne féile, which is taking place.
Sinn Féin councillor, Mr Eoin O'Broin, said: "Regrettably, there has been a dramatic increase in attacks on the nationalist people in Ardoyne in the last number of days and there is a genuine fear that the UDA is attempting to wind up this situation in order to provoke a confrontation on Saturday."
Loyalists have fired shots from the Glenbryn area into nearby nationalist Alliance Avenue.
In another development, the son of Shankill Road UDA commander Johnny Adair has been injured in a "punishment" attack by the loyalist paramilitary group.
Jonathon (17) was shot in the legs in Florence Square, in the Lower Shankill, on Wednesday night. He was treated in the Mater Hospital but was later discharged.
Loyalist sources said he was targeted for alleged "anti-social activities" and there were "absolutely no political or other overtones" to the attack.
Mr John White of the Ulster Political Research Group, who is an adviser to Johnny Adair, said the family were "deeply upset and embarrassed that this should happen to their son".
Adair had no prior knowledge that his son would be shot but that was "entirely normal".
Mr White insisted there was no danger of an internal feud.
"Johnny will be settling the wee lad back into the community and encouraging him to look at life differently. There is no possibility of retaliation or more bloodshed."
Johnny remains committed to a purely political course," Mr White added.