Sir Reg Empey: Trouble was anticipated

Police officers fired several plastic baton rounds in response.

On Tuesday, Sinn Fein called for a 72-hour "breathing space" in order to defuse sectarian tensions at the Madrid Street interface.

The party's Short Strand councillor, Joe O'Donnell, said talks at community level could then take place during that period.

Sir Reg said the violence was anticipated during a recent meeting between assembly members and community leaders from the area.

"Despite pleading with successive security ministers about the erection of gates in Madrid Street, progress has been painfully slow.

"Work should have already started on these gates, and I call for their immediate installation if further violence is to be avoided," the Stormont minister said.

A police spokesman said 11 shots were fired at officers and a police Land Rover was burned out as they tried to keep rioters apart.

"One of the officers injured required hospital treatment for facial injuries," the spokesman said.

Army bomb experts were called to deal with two unexploded pipe bombs and another small improvised explosive device.

The trouble started with fighting at a peace line in Thistle Court, separating the nationalist Short Strand and the loyalist Newtownards Road.

The fierce fighting lasted for more than two hours.

Condemnation

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid described those involved as "thugs".

He said the had "nothing better to do than attack those who are protecting lives and property on behalf of us all".

"When will they realise that in attacking police officers they are attacking the future of society and frustrating the will of the vast majority of law abiding people.

"I would appeal to anyone with information on this incident to inform the police immediately."

Meanwhile, there were minor disturbances in north Belfast on Sunday night.

Trouble flared in the Whitewell Road/Alexander Road and Ardoyne Road areas.