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| Loyalist weapons put 'beyond use' | Loyalist weapons put 'beyond use' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Two Northern Ireland loyalist paramilitary groups have said they have completed decommissioning. | Two Northern Ireland loyalist paramilitary groups have said they have completed decommissioning. |
| The UVF and Red Hand Commando said their weapons and explosives were "totally and irreversibly beyond use". | The UVF and Red Hand Commando said their weapons and explosives were "totally and irreversibly beyond use". |
| Another loyalist group, the Ulster Defence Association, confirmed it had started to decommission its arsenal. | Another loyalist group, the Ulster Defence Association, confirmed it had started to decommission its arsenal. |
| NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said it was "an historic day for Northern Ireland". Between them, the UDA and UVF killed almost 1,000 people in the Troubles. | NI Secretary Shaun Woodward said it was "an historic day for Northern Ireland". Between them, the UDA and UVF killed almost 1,000 people in the Troubles. |
| Four years ago, the IRA put its weapons beyond use in decommissioning witnessed by two churchmen. | Four years ago, the IRA put its weapons beyond use in decommissioning witnessed by two churchmen. |
| Unlikely figure behind move | Unlikely figure behind move |
| On Saturday, the UVF and the UDA said they had both engaged in "historic acts" of decommissioning. | |
| The leadership of the UVF/RHC said its disarmament process was overseen by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) and in front of international witnesses. | |
| It said the process had begun last Autumn but had been "suspended" following the dissident republican killings of a policeman and two soldiers in March. | It said the process had begun last Autumn but had been "suspended" following the dissident republican killings of a policeman and two soldiers in March. |
| The process resumed after government assurances were given "that those responsible would be vigorously pursued". | The process resumed after government assurances were given "that those responsible would be vigorously pursued". |
| Dawn Purvis: 'It is time to move on' | Dawn Purvis: 'It is time to move on' |
| The leader of the UVF-linked Progressive Unionist Party, Dawn Purvis, said the "war is over", adding Saturday was a "momentous day". | The leader of the UVF-linked Progressive Unionist Party, Dawn Purvis, said the "war is over", adding Saturday was a "momentous day". |
| She said it showed that "peaceful, stable, inclusive democracy" was the way forward. | She said it showed that "peaceful, stable, inclusive democracy" was the way forward. |
| She added: "Eventually loyalists and republicans must sit down for the good of our country, if we claim to be patriots." | She added: "Eventually loyalists and republicans must sit down for the good of our country, if we claim to be patriots." |
| PUP representative Billy Hutchinson, who was a UVF prisoner, said the move "cements the peace process". | PUP representative Billy Hutchinson, who was a UVF prisoner, said the move "cements the peace process". |
| He added: "No one other than the UVF and Red Hand Commando brought us to this position". | He added: "No one other than the UVF and Red Hand Commando brought us to this position". |
| In a separate statement, the UDA confirmed it had started a process that would lead to the destruction of all its arms. | In a separate statement, the UDA confirmed it had started a process that would lead to the destruction of all its arms. |
| It said an act of decommissioning had been overseen by General John De Chastelain's decommissioning body. | |
| It said: "The dark days are now behind us and it is time to move on. | It said: "The dark days are now behind us and it is time to move on. |
| "There is no place for guns and violence in the new society we are building. It is time to work for a better future." | "There is no place for guns and violence in the new society we are building. It is time to work for a better future." |
| The latest decommissioning comes ahead of Mr Woodward's August deadline for significant progress on loyalist arms. | |
| Speaking on Saturday, Mr Woodward said: "I have always kept faith with the peace and political process of which the decommissioning legislation has played a crucial part." | Speaking on Saturday, Mr Woodward said: "I have always kept faith with the peace and political process of which the decommissioning legislation has played a crucial part." |
| Are you in Northern Ireland? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments | Are you in Northern Ireland? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |