North Belfast enjoyed a peaceful night for the first time in three days after the violent protests at Holy Cross Primary School were not repeated.
The calm came as security chiefs are poised to set up a new community police unit in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast in a bid to prevent fresh rioting.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan yesterday assured political representatives that plans for a permanent squad were now at an advanced stage.
Tensions remain high, but there was a growing sense of relief after the decision by loyalists not to resume their protest at Holy Cross Primary School.
As an uneasy calm descended after two nights of rioting, politicians and civic leaders called for a community forum to be set up as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the authorities responded to urgent pleas for action, by agreeing to install temporary security cameras at a community centre on the flashpoint Ardoyne Road.
The Northern Ireland Office said the decision to fit cameras at the Everton complex was taken following calls for a permanent system from Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan.
During the past two nights, more than 80 members of the security forces were injured as mobs of nationalists and loyalists ran amok, hurling hundreds of petrol bombs, blast bombs and acid bombs.
PA