The paramilitary group Ulster Defence Association (UDA) Northern Ireland has announced to "stand down" from midnight on Sunday.
The UDA said in a statement that weapons of its branch Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), widely regarded as a cover name for the UDA, were being put beyond use, from midnight.
The group however stressed that this does not mean they will be decommissioned.
On Remembrance Sunday, the UDA leadership issued in its statement a strongly-worded attack on criminals in loyalist areas, saying anyone with information about crime should pass it to the police.
The UDA said: "The Ulster Defence Association believes that the war is over, and we are now in a new democratic dispensation that will lead to permanent political stability. But we believe the political parties and the political institutions are themselves still in a period of transition."
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward welcomed the UDA statement, but said it needed to lead on to decommissioning of the paramilitary group's weapons. "They will be judged by their actions, not their words," he said.
The UDA's move comes weeks after Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie, announced she was to cut off 1.2 million pound sterling in loyalist funding unless the UDA decommissioned its weapons in 60 days.
Ritchie said in a statement on Sunday: "I welcome the positive aspects of this statement, however, it is disappointing that there is still no intention on the part of the UDA to decommission its weapons."
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article