Honour weapons pledge, urges Trimble

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has repeated his call for republicans to fulfil their commitment to IRA disarmament.

Mr Trimble said he hoped the Prime Minister, despite the war in Iraq, would be able to return to Hillsborough Castle next month to help secure a deal to restore devolution to Northern Ireland.

"Republicans have been given an extra four weeks to do what we all know is necessary," he said.

"We hope they do it, and we hope that clears the way for the Prime Minister to come back in April as he said he would. I don't think anyone can reasonably doubt the extent of the Prime Minister's commitment to this," he added.

Talks to secure a deal at Hillsborough failed earlier this month after the parties were unable to agree on issues such as IRA disarmament, demilitarisation and freedom for paramilitary on-the-run prisoners.

Mr Blair was expected to return to the Province next month with a non-negotiable package on the way forward.

Both London and Dublin have expressed confidence that a deal to restore devolution to Northern Ireland is possible.

Assembly elections were delayed from May 1 until May 29 in a bid to buy time for the pro-Good Friday Agreement parties to agree to the deal.

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