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Union flag to be raised in Belfast for royal birthday Union flag to be raised in Belfast for royal birthday
(about 2 hours later)
The union flag will fly at Belfast City Hall on Wedneday for the first time since a decision not to permanently display it sparked violent protests. The union flag will fly at Belfast City Hall on Wednesday for the first time since a decision not to display it permanently sparked protests, some of which have been violent.
The move marks the the Duchess of Cambridge's 31st birthday and is not a result of the demonstrations. The move marks the Duchess of Cambridge's 31st birthday.
Police came under attack with petrol bombs and fireworks for a sixth night in east Belfast on Tuesday. Police were attacked with petrol bombs and fireworks for a sixth night in east Belfast on Tuesday.
The cost of policing flag protests in Northern Ireland since they began early in December is believed to be over £7m.The cost of policing flag protests in Northern Ireland since they began early in December is believed to be over £7m.
Taken downTaken down
The union flag will be raised over Belfast City Hall on Wednesday after the council voted it should fly on only a limited number of designated days. A campaign of street demonstrations started just over a month ago, when Belfast councillors voted on 3 December to limit the days when the union flag flies over Belfast City Hall.
On this occasion it is the Duchess of Cambridge's birthday but the flag will be taken down again in the evening and loyalists have made it clear they will continue their protests. Some of the protests have been violent and resulted in more than 100 people being arrested and dozens of police officers sustaining injuries.
Their central demand is for the decision to be reversed but the political make up of the council means there is no chance of that happening. The BBC's Chris Buckler in Belfast said that politicians, including First Minister Peter Robinson, know they are under pressure to find some kind of solution.
The BBC's Chris Buckler in Belfast says that after nights of violence that have seen more than 100 people arrested and dozens of police officers injured, politicians including First Minister Peter Robinson know they are under pressure to find some kind of solution. The flag is being raised on Wednesday to mark the Duchess of Cambridge's birthday, but will be taken down again in the evening and loyalists have made it clear they will continue their protests.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the cost of policing the flag protests and dealing with disorder during the first two weeks from 3 to 17 December was £3.8m. Their central demand is for the decision to be reversed but the political make up of the council means there is little chance of that happening.
Policing has remained largely the same since, apart from a holiday lull. It has been confirmed that the cost of policing the flag protests and dealing with disorder during the first two weeks from 3 to 17 December was £3.8m.
Policing has remained largely the same since, apart from a lull over the Christmas holidays.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it could not comment on the total cost so far because it did not have up to date figures.The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it could not comment on the total cost so far because it did not have up to date figures.
Street demonstrationsStreet demonstrations
On Tuesday night, bricks and bottles were thrown by loyalists in Templemore Avenue, off the Lower Newtownards Road.On Tuesday night, bricks and bottles were thrown by loyalists in Templemore Avenue, off the Lower Newtownards Road.
A campaign of street demonstrations started just over a month ago, when Belfast councillors voted on 3 December to limit the days when the union flag flies over Belfast City Hall.
Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has said Northern Ireland was being "held to ransom by protesters", and she called for an end to all street demonstrations over flags, even peaceful ones.Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has said Northern Ireland was being "held to ransom by protesters", and she called for an end to all street demonstrations over flags, even peaceful ones.
Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Vernon Coaker said the riots had become a matter of "national security" after the police said senior loyalist paramilitaries had been involved in the rioting. Shadow Northern Ireland secretary, Vernon Coaker, said the riots had become a matter of "national security" after the police said senior loyalist paramilitaries had been involved in the rioting.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has designated 18 days on which the union flag is flown in Northern Ireland in 2013. It may also be flown during the opening and closing of Parliament by the Queen.