The Ulster Defence Association said this evening they would not hand over any weapons in response to the IRA statement that they had begun decommissioning.
A senior UDA source claimed they were still at risk from republicans, and "decommissioning is not on the cards."
The UDA has previously claimed it would never leave its community undefended from attack by republicans.
The six brigadeers who make up the UDA's inner council are now expected to scrutinise the consequences of the IRA gesture.
Even if the IRA sealed off all its bunkers, the source insisted dissident republicans still possessed deadly capabilities.
"Once the IRA take this step what's going to happen to their membership. Is a percentage going to go over to the dissidents?" asked the source.
"That would strengthen them and as long as we deem a threat to this country we have to take precautions."
"We are prepared for anything, but Sinn Féin won't decide when we are going to decommission," he said. "The Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Freedom Fighters will decide."
He said the Ulster Volunteer Force was also determined to hold on to their arms.
PA