Mr David Trimble will seek the office of Northern Ireland First Minister again if the IRA starts to disarm, the Ulster Unionist leader has indicated.
The Upper Bann MP stepped down as First Minister of the power-sharing executive in July in protest at the lack of movement on IRA decommissioning.
Mr Trimble is set to return from the United States today where he has been briefing politicians and journalists on the peace process.
He said: "We have for years been calling for decommissioning. We want to see decommissioning.
"It's long past time for it. I hope people do it, that they do it properly, that they do it in such a way that [decommissioning body chairman] John de Chastelain is able to report to the people of Northern Ireland on it, to report he has verified it.
"Of course, in that situation it will transform the situation and there will be an appropriate response. In the circumstances, in that situation, it would be my intention to take office".
Mr Trimble is expected to announce the resignations of Ulster Unionist ministers later this week if there is no decommissioning in an attempt to pile further pressure on the IRA.
Mr Trimble's comments were welcomed by Sinn Féin national chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin.
The Foyle Assembly member said: "I think if David Trimble is in a mood to resolve this through politics and to work with the rest of us on it, then we will resolve this because these now are political problems."
PA