IRA confirms new act of weapons disarmament

The IRA has issued a statement confirming it has carried out a further act of decommissioning of its weapons.

The statement issued a short time ago says: "The leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann can confirm that a further act of putting arms beyond use has taken place under the agreed scheme."

The statement gives no further details of the how many weapons were decommissioned.

It follows a statement issued this morning which said: "The leadership of the IRA welcomes today's speech by Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, in which he accurately reflects our position.

"In line with our stated position, we have authorised our representative to meet with the IICD (the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning) with a view to proceeding with the implementation of a process to put armsbeyond use at the earliest opportunity.

"We have also authorised a further act of putting arms beyond use," the statement added.

We have authorised our representative to meet with the…International Commission on Decommissioning with a view to proceeding with the implementation of a process to put arms beyond use at the earliest opportunity IRA statement

The two statements came as part of a series of choreographed events, following a deal reached between Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party yesterday.

The British government this morning confirmed Assembly elections would take place on November 26th next. Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams later committed republicans to exclusively peaceful means.

"We are totally committed to building this peace process," Mr Adams said in Belfast. "The IRA's discipline in face of ongoing British and loyalist activities show that it too is genuinely interested in building the peace process."

He continued: "The IRA leadership wants the full and irreversible implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in all its aspects and they are determined that their strategies and actions will be consistent with this objective.

"I have set out a peaceful direction which I trust everyone will follow."

The Ulster Unionist Party is expected to declare a commitment to work the institutions of the Belfast Agreement. The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister are to arrive at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down this afternoon to comment on today's progress.