British Prime Minister Tony Blair urged major parties in Northern Ireland on Thursday to honor their power-sharing commitments.

Blair warned that devolution can only happen in the province if Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) act on policing and power-sharing, Sky news reported.

Blair came back to London one day early from his holiday in Florida for talks on Northern Ireland.

"I am confident that both parties want to see progress and will honor their commitments. But there is no point in proceeding unless there is such clarity," he said.

The Prime Minister returned early from holiday after Sinn Fein, which advocates the province's unification with Ireland, indicated that it may delay a special party conference on supporting the police service of Northern Ireland.

According to Blair, direct rule in Northern Ireland from May next year would be possible if Sinn Fein endorses the local police while the largest loyalist party DUP acts on power sharing.

"When there is delivery, there will be devolution," Blair said, adding he was "confident that both parties want to see progress and will honor their commitments."

Sinn Fein's executive voted last month to hold a conference on the issue of supporting the policing in Northern Ireland.

But the party signaled its doubt on Wednesday when the move had not received a "positive" response from DUP leader Ian Paisley.

Source: Xinhua