British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair's talks with Mr Gerry Adams at Downing Street have made progress, Sinn Fein sources claimed tonight.
The talks involving the Government, Sinn Fein, the Ulster Unionists and SDLP have been focusing on policing arrangements, the scaling down of army bases and operations in republican areas and the IRA's offer to begin a process of putting its arms beyond use.
Sinn Fein sources at the talks at Downing Street tonight moved quickly to contradict claims from Mr David Trimble downplaying any hope of a breakthrough.
Mr Trimble claimed the Republican position on disarmament was "unsatisfactory" and that they were still "prevaricating".
However, a Sinn Fein source said that they were "inching forward" in their discussions with the British Prime Minister.
"We came to Downing Street this morning with a lot of issues of concern to Sinn Fein. The primary focus of discussions with the British Government has been around the issue of policing, the spokesman said. He added that they were not expecting a conclusive position to be reached today.
-PA