Mr David Trimble has been quoted as saying the peace process could collapse as early as June unless the IRAmoved towards disarming.
The Ulster Unionist Party leader told the
Financial Times
today another dispute over disarmament could overshadow campaigning for a UK general election which Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair is widely expected to call for June 7th.
Mr Trimble said the Belfast Agreement was "not stable" in its current form.
"Unless there is movement [on disarmament] there is going to be a crisis and that crisis could come before the general election. I can't see how we can get through June if republicans have not moved," he said.
Mr Trimble said he wanted the British and Irish governments to press the IRA to make progress on scrapping weapons.
The Financial Timessaid if there was no progress on the arms issue Mr Trimble's advisers were worried the Ulster Unionists could lose ground to the anti-agreement DUP in the general election.
It said: "Trimble's ousting could trigger the collapse of the Executive."