The launch of a loyalist initiative aimed at reducing tensions in Belfast was put on hold last night when fresh violence broke out in the east of the city.
Members of the Loyalist Commission, an umbrella group representing paramilitaries, politicians and church leaders, met during the day to formulate a plan.
But last night they announced it was staying on the drawing board after the new clashes.
They were understood to be monitoring the situation and hope to proceed if the situation calms over the coming days.
The Commission said in a statement that following lengthy discussions they had been ready to come forward with "a major initiative in an effort to reduce rising tensions".
But they added: "Sadly it had to be postponed due to yet another republican orchestrated attack into a Protestant community.
"It is all the more sinister that this attack occurred within hours of a visit by Martin McGuinness to the Short Strand, where his words of peace were not reflected by his community's actions." Sources close to the commission indicated it had been due to agree to no loyalist first strikes at interfaces across Belfast and that they would only retaliate if nationalists attacked their areas first.
The Loyalist Commission, a loose association of figures from Protestant churches, unionist parties and paramilitaries, had hoped to move to quell violence at sectarian interfaces in Belfast.
Early indications suggested that some kind of "no first-strike" policy at interfaces could be announced today.
There has been regular trouble in north Belfast for more than a year, and the situation has worsened and spread to east Belfast around the republican Short Strand area and to south Belfast. The lower Ormeau Road area has been a traditional flashpoint due to ongoing hostility between nationalist residents and Orangemen from the Ballynafeigh area who want to proceed through the area towards City Hall on key dates in the loyalist marching calendar.
The initiative, if it hd emerged, follows a spate of political moves since the weekend involving the British Prime Minister, the Northern Secretary, the First and Deputy First Ministers, and party leaders. The recent violence is also likely to be discussed during talks at the British-Irish Council meeting in Jersey