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| Loyalist weapons put 'beyond use' | Loyalist weapons put 'beyond use' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Two Northern Ireland loyalist paramilitary groups have said they have completed the process of decommissioning. | Two Northern Ireland loyalist paramilitary groups have said they have completed the process of 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. |
| Between them, the UDA and UVF killed almost 1,000 people during the Troubles, most of them Catholic. | Between them, the UDA and UVF killed almost 1,000 people during the Troubles, most of them Catholic. |
| In a statement, the leadership of the UVF/RHC said the disarmament process was overseen by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) and in the presence of international witnesses. | In a statement, the leadership of the UVF/RHC said the disarmament process was overseen by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) and in the presence 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. |
| Unlikely figure behind move | Unlikely figure behind move |
| "Assurances were sought from the government that those responsible would be vigorously pursued," it said. | "Assurances were sought from the government that those responsible would be vigorously pursued," it said. |
| "Only when forthright assurances were given and it became clear that they would be honoured did our process resume." | "Only when forthright assurances were given and it became clear that they would be honoured did our process resume." |
| 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: "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." |
| Earlier this month, the BBC learned that the three loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland had decommissioned weapons. | Earlier this month, the BBC learned that the three loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland had decommissioned weapons. |
| It followed months of increasing pressure from the government, and secret talks amongst loyalist groups. | It followed months of increasing pressure from the government, and secret talks amongst loyalist groups. |
| The government was told of the UVF move by General John de Chastelain, head of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD). | The government was told of the UVF move by General John de Chastelain, head of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD). |
| General de Chastelain is believed to have briefed the Northern Ireland Office. | General de Chastelain is believed to have briefed the Northern Ireland Office. |
| 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. |
| The latest decommissioning comes ahead of Secretary of State Shaun Woodward's August deadline for significant progress on loyalist arms. | The latest decommissioning comes ahead of Secretary of State Shaun Woodward's August deadline for significant progress on loyalist arms. |
| Speaking on Saturday, Mr Woodward said it was "an historic day for people in Northern Ireland". | |
| "I have always kept faith with the peace and political process of which the decommissioning legislation has played a crucial part," he said. | |
| "This is proof that decommissioning works and today's acts of leadership are further testimony to the transformation in Northern Ireland." | |
| 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 |