Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble today urged anti-war protesters to call off their demonstrations and get behind Northern Ireland soldiers serving in the Gulf.
The Ulster Unionist leader said society had a duty to support the families of thousands of service personnel from Northern Ireland involved in the conflict in Iraq.
"What the families in Northern Ireland would like to see is the community rallying to their support rather than demonstrating against it.
"I would therefore call on those who are contemplating participating in, or organising demonstrations, to think again and to think about the thousands of families here in Northern Ireland who are now directly connected with the operations in Iraq," he said.
His appeal was made as silent vigils were held across Northern Ireland in protest against the war. Further demonstrations are due tomorrow. The trade union-organised "Stop the War Coalition", which staged the peace vigils, said they would continue to oppose the war.
But the Ulster Unionist leader claimed protests could help prolong the war by providing encouragement to Saddam Hussein's regime in Baghdad.
"The liberation of Iraq will come more rapidly if the corrupt, despotic leadership sees that society is united and that it removes from Saddam Hussein the false hope that division at home will weaken the assault on him".
PA