Frank McCoubrey: "No protection"

Chief Superintendent Lindsay confirmed patrolling is to increase in north Belfast.

Police dealt with a fourth successive night of disturbances in Belfast on Tuesday.

Petrol bombs, fireworks and stones were thrown during sectarian clashes in the Whitewell area.

Police were attacked by stonethrowers when they moved in to separate the rival groups.

Petrol bombs were also thrown at the police and soldiers in the Ardoyne area.

'Pre-warned trouble'

The delegation was led by independent councillor Frank McCoubrey.

Speaking before the meeting, Mr McCoubrey said there needed to be greater protection along interface areas.

He said previous calls had "fallen on deaf ears".

"There has been a lack of police presence on the ground and they were pre-warned of trouble over the weekend.

"At least four of five interface areas in north Belfast came under attack. The most worrying incident was when two young men were shot in north Belfast, over in Tiger's Bay."

Mr McCoubrey said he believed there was "an orchestrated campaign of ethnic cleansing being carried out in north Belfast".

Air rifle

He denied that the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association was orchestrating violence.

Police chiefs had said the UDA were directly behind much of the disturbances in north Belfast in recent months.

Meanwhile, two men, aged 26 and 24, were charged on Wednesday with riotous behaviour.

It is understood the charges relate to the disturbances in Belfast over recent days.

During the arrest operation, police discovered an air rifle.

The weapon is being examined by forensic scientists and enquiries are continuing.