The Irish Republican Army (IRA) paramilitary movement is set to put down its arms from 4 pm on Thursday.

A statement from the republicans said it would put an end to its armed struggle and devote efforts towards peaceful solutions, the Sky news reported.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams confirmed that the IRA is set to issue a statement on its future.

"The forthcoming IRA statement will challenge Irish republicans and nationalists. The statement will also challenge others, especially the two governments and the Unionists," said Adams, who appealed to "everyone to carefully read what the Army has to say and to remain united and steadfast".

The paramilitary group has been expected to give its response to a call by the Sinn Fein president to pursue its goals through purely political means.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has travelled to the US and is due to brief Mitchell Reiss, President George W. Bush's special adviser on Northern Ireland, on Thursday.

Source: Xinhua