We have been able to take significant steps towards creating a normal security situation

John Reid Northern Ireland Secretary

Loyalist paramilitaries have been blamed for an attack on a former republican prisoner in County Antrim earlier this week.

The Northern Ireland political process took a significant step forward last week when Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble and SDLP leader Mark Durkan were elected first and deputy first ministers.

Mr Trimble had withdrawn his party from the power-sharing executive to put pressure on republicans to disarm.

He decided to stand for re-election and go back into government with Sinn Fein after the IRA said it had put some weapons out of action two weeks ago.

Sustained progress

Dr Reid said: "Northern Ireland's politicians have laid firm foundations for sustained peace and progress.

"Even a matter of months ago, few would have thought that arms would be put beyond use and that the executive - with local ministers responsible for delivering what local people want - would exist on a firmer footing than ever before.

David Trimble was re-elected first minister

"We have been able to take significant steps towards creating a normal security situation, one that will be policed by the new Police Service of Northern Ireland."

But the secretary of state said there was still much to be done.

"The long term stability of the political institutions must be secured.

"The drive to see the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement must be maintained. There must be further progress on the arms issue."

Challenges

Dr Reid said he understood there was genuine unease in some quarters about the challenges ahead and a sense in some loyalist communities that in all the progress they had been left behind.

"There are no easy answers. We all know that sections of loyalism have brought the majority of loyalists into disrepute.

"We will bear down on criminality and violence wherever it comes from.

"But we will not let it disguise the constructive contribution loyalist politicians have made and can still make to a new Northern Ireland and to the broadening of the political debate."