Father Aidan Troy expressed his "delight"

Mark Coulter, one of the residents involved in the protests, said: "The long term solution to this is through dialogue and it has got to happen."

Residents' spokesman Jim Potts warned that if the government did not honour its commitments, the protest would be resumed.

He said: "If the government does not fulfil its obligations we will go back to protest."

'Stress and trauma'

Northern Ireland Education Minister Martin McGuinness praised the staff and pupils at Holy Cross who he said "endured so much stress and trauma" during the stand-off.

But the Sinn Fein minister added: "We must recognise that the impact of this long-running dispute will be felt in schools in North Belfast for some time to come.

We must recognise that the impact of this long-running dispute will be felt in schools in north Belfast for some time to come

Martin McGuinness education minister

"Our priority now must be to rebuild relationships between the communities and to ensure that similar situations do not occur in the future."

Father Aidan Troy, chairman of the Holy Cross board of governors, said: "I feel enormous relief and delight but I am also certain that we have a huge test ahead of us."

DUP MP for North Belfast Nigel Dodds said he was confident that the suspension of the protest was a permanent one, adding: "It's essential that everybody follows through on their commitments and promises that have been made."