Ulster Unionist Mr Jim Rodgers has tonight been elected the new Lord Mayor of Belfast.
In a move designed to put pressure on republicans to disarm, Sinn Féin were denied the position despite having the largest number of councillors at City Hall.
Mr Rodgers defeated Mr Alex Maskey by 28 votes to 23 with a coalition of UUP, DUP, Loyalist parties and cross-community Alliance party support.
The leader of the Alliance group Mr David Alderdice said while his party had previously supported Mr Maskey's unsuccessful bid to be mayor last year it could not ignore the current clamour for IRA disarmament from other supporters of the Belfast Agreement.
Mr Alderdice, a former mayor of the city, explained: "The Lord Mayor of Belfast is the most important civic post in Northern Ireland and for Alliance the symbolism of the post is in how that figure demonstrates sensitivity and inclusiveness.
"While we have heard many words over the last week from various candidates, the bigger picture cannot be ignored. This decision cannot be treated in isolation.
"We simply cannot ignore what the world outside the confines of republicanism is saying. The peace process is in peril and the responsibility for that lies principally with the republican movement.
"Alliance wants to see the full implementation of the agreement and that includes dealing with the arms issue in a way that maximises public confidence.
"That is not just our position but also that of John Hume and Seamus Mallon, David Trimble, Tony Blair and the Taioseach Bertie Ahern. We cannot dismiss this overwhelming tide of public opinion."
PA