David Trimble: "Anti-Agreement unionists look foolish"

General de Chastelain said he would urge the IRA to continue its decommissioning process.

He added: "We will also urge the other paramilitary groups to do that as well."

The hardline Democratic Unionist Party was the first to respond to the IRA move calling it a "stunt".

DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said the move was "an event of no significance" which had been timed to help Sinn Fein win seats in the Republic of Ireland general election in May.

"This has been produced by Sinn Fein purely for electoral purposes and to squeeze further concessions from the government.

"It will not impress anybody from the unionist community which is still waiting to find out whether it was one or two guns decommissioned the first time."

DUP's Peter Robinson: "Unionists not impressed"

Alban Maginness, of the nationalist SDLP, said he was unimpressed by the IRA move.

He said: "It would also be a good thing if they decommissioned attacks and intimidation against those people who wish to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland."

But Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble said the second act of disarmament showed republicans were involved in a process of decommissioning and made anti-Agreement unionists look "foolish".

He said people were right to be cynical about the timing of the move, so close to an Irish election.

But he added: "Now we have got a process of decommissioning coming from republicans, loyalists must realise that there is more urgency for them to start their own process."

Welcoming the IRA move, Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid also said it showed the first IRA act of decommissioning was not a one-off.

NI Secretary John Reid: "Loyalists must respond"

He added: "It is now more than ever incumbent on the loyalist paramilitary groups to respond and match the IRA's important action with steps of their own. I hope we will see them doing so before long."

The announcement was also welcomed by Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.

Speaking at a news conference, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams rejected the suggestion the IRA move was timed to improve Sinn Fein's electoral strength.

"This is nothing to do with elections. It is too crucial to become an election stunt.

"The IRA said it moved to stabilise, sustain and strengthen the peace process and we have to accept that."

He added: "This initiative was taken at a time when others are not fulfilling their obligations."

David Ervine: "Move will not put pressure on loyalists"

David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party, which is linked to the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force, said the IRA move would not put pressure on loyalists to disarm.

He said this was because the IRA had not entered a real process of decommissioning, but rather a trading session with the government - of arms for concessions.

Mr Ervine said: "They are not decommissioning for the peace process or for their neighbours' benefit. They are selling their weapons for political gains."

But David Ford of the cross-community Alliance Party criticised Mr Ervine's response to the IRA statement.

"I am beginning to wonder whether loyalists are ever going to decommission," he said.