Loyalists in Belfast tonight pledged their commitment to peace amid growing fears of a new surge in violence at the city's flashpoints.
As attacks on homes across north Belfast's sectarian divide threatened to destroy months of calm, the Ulster Political Research Group insisted loyalist paramilitaries wanted no trouble.
The UPRG, which is linked to the Ulster Defence Association, claimed it was prepared to do whatever it took to retain law and order.
Spokesman Mr Tommy Kirkham said: "The leadership and members of the UPRG remain totally dedicated and committed to finding peaceful solutions to everyday problems within the community.
"This community of ours deserves peace and the UPRG, with the support of those we represent, will do whatever we can to achieve that peace." Mr Kirkham took part in a white line protest tonight on the Whitewell Road, a notorious interface where loyalists and nationalists have clashed in the past.
He said the picket was staged to highlight attacks on Protestant residents as they visit shops in the area.
But in a more worrying development, homes and cars belonging to Catholics in north Belfast were hit with fireworks and paint yesterday.
Police believe the houses may have been targeted in retaliation for earlier attacks in Protestant parts of the city.
Mr Nigel Dodds, Democratic Unionist MP for north Belfast, voiced concern that residents were set to be plunged into fresh violence. He said: "After a relatively quiet summer, the last thing people in north Belfast need is the escalation of trouble night after night."
PA