THE SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, has said he will do everything in his power to try to ensure there is total and absolute cessation of violence".
He denied that his work in brokering the IRA ceasefire was now in ruins. "There are 300 to 400 people alive on the streets who would not be alive had it not been for the ceasefire," he said.
He condemned the bombing unreservedly: "There is no justification of any description for bombing or for threatening people's lives or for injuring or killing people."
However, he warned against a knee jerk reaction.
"I hope that all minds, particularly government, will now concentrate very heavily on bringing about lasting stability. That can only be done by negotiations and by bringing all parties to the table."
The SDLP executive described the bombing as "morally wrong and brutally inhuman" and conveyed its sympathy to the bereaved and injured. In a statement, it said: "The apparent ending of the IRA ceasefire is deeply disappointing and profoundly mistaken. The SDLP reaffirms its total commitment to peace and democratic politics as the only way of dealing with the issues that face the Irish people.