The United States has renewed its calls for an end to all paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.
"We have said that paramilitary organisations, both republican and loyalist, are the biggest obstacle to normalisation in Northern Ireland," State Department spokesman Mr Richard Boucher said last night.
"It's important for this process that we move forward by ending all paramilitary capabilities and illegal activities," he said.
He was speaking after US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell met the Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, at the State Department to reaffirm US support for the peace process.
He said the two agreed on the importance of ending all paramilitary activities and discussed progress being made on policing.
"Secretary Powell also reiterated US willingness to assist the British and the Irish governments in their efforts to devolve government in Northern Ireland and to solidify the peace process," Mr Boucher said.
AFP