Now that The Troubles - the civil war that saw the British and their Loyalist allies take on the IRA and their Republican allies - is over one of the Loyalist (pro-British) organisations is being stood down at midnights.
The Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) said their aim was to defend Northern Ireland's Loyalist (pro-British) community from IRA and other Republican (pro-Irish) terrorists. It's main objective was to reject Northern Ireland leaving the UK and becoming part of the Republic of Ireland.
UFF being stood down at midnight
The BBC
The Loyalist UFF is being 'stood down' from midnight on Sunday
The Ulster Defence Association is to stand down part of its organisation, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, from midnight.
It also said UFF weapons were being put beyond use, but stressed that this does not mean they will be decommissioned.
In a statement on Remembrance Sunday, the UDA leadership issued a strongly-worded attack on criminals in loyalist areas.
It said anyone with information about crime should pass it to the police.
The UDA murdered more than 400 people during the Troubles; the majority of the killings were claimed by the Ulster Freedom Fighters, widely regarded as a cover name for the UDA.
In its statement, the UDA said: "The Ulster Defence Association believes that the war is over, and we are now in a new democratic dispensation that will lead to permanent political stability.
"But we believe the political parties and the political institutions are themselves still in a period of transition."
Shaun Woodward welcomed the statement
One of the UDA's leaders, Jackie McDonald, added: "90% of people in the loyalist community don't want de-commissioning."
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward welcomed the UDA statement, but said it needed to lead on to decommissioning of the paramilitary group's weapons.
"They will be judged by their actions, not their words," he said.
Arms move urged
The UDA's move comes weeks after Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie, announced she was to cut off £1.2m in loyalist funding unless the UDA decommissioned its weapons in 60 days.
In a statement on Sunday, Ms Ritchie said: "I welcome the positive aspects of this statement, however, it is disappointing that there is still no intention on the part of the UDA to decommission its weapons."
Alliance leader David Ford also urged a move on arms. "It is has to verifiably decommission weapons and not just state that they are beyond use," he said.
news.bbc.co.uk
The Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) said their aim was to defend Northern Ireland's Loyalist (pro-British) community from IRA and other Republican (pro-Irish) terrorists. It's main objective was to reject Northern Ireland leaving the UK and becoming part of the Republic of Ireland.
UFF being stood down at midnight
The BBC
The Loyalist UFF is being 'stood down' from midnight on Sunday
The Ulster Defence Association is to stand down part of its organisation, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, from midnight.
It also said UFF weapons were being put beyond use, but stressed that this does not mean they will be decommissioned.
In a statement on Remembrance Sunday, the UDA leadership issued a strongly-worded attack on criminals in loyalist areas.
It said anyone with information about crime should pass it to the police.
The UDA murdered more than 400 people during the Troubles; the majority of the killings were claimed by the Ulster Freedom Fighters, widely regarded as a cover name for the UDA.
In its statement, the UDA said: "The Ulster Defence Association believes that the war is over, and we are now in a new democratic dispensation that will lead to permanent political stability.
"But we believe the political parties and the political institutions are themselves still in a period of transition."
Shaun Woodward welcomed the statement
One of the UDA's leaders, Jackie McDonald, added: "90% of people in the loyalist community don't want de-commissioning."
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward welcomed the UDA statement, but said it needed to lead on to decommissioning of the paramilitary group's weapons.
"They will be judged by their actions, not their words," he said.
Arms move urged
The UDA's move comes weeks after Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie, announced she was to cut off £1.2m in loyalist funding unless the UDA decommissioned its weapons in 60 days.
In a statement on Sunday, Ms Ritchie said: "I welcome the positive aspects of this statement, however, it is disappointing that there is still no intention on the part of the UDA to decommission its weapons."
Alliance leader David Ford also urged a move on arms. "It is has to verifiably decommission weapons and not just state that they are beyond use," he said.
news.bbc.co.uk
