Talks to try to bring an end to sectarian violence at interfaces have been held at Stormont.

Northern Ireland Office Minister Des Browne met representatives of most of the assembly parties on Wednesday.

There has been widespread violence in flashpoint areas in north and east Belfast over several months.

Certainly there was a communal view against sectarianism at the interfaces

Gerry Kelly Sinn Fein

Last weekend saw serious disturbances near Belfast city centre when loyalist youths clashed with police in the Sandy Row area.

Cars were burned and shops damaged in two consecutive nights of trouble, which took place near an international hostel for backpackers.

Fire crews were also attacked by stonethrowers while trying to deal with blazing vehicles.

Wednesday's two-hour meeting ended without an agreed statement, but the parties agreed to meet to continue the discussions at a later date.

Afterwards, Mr Browne said there had been "universal condemnation of sectarianism in all its forms and of paramilitary violence in particular".

"It was agreed that both central and devolved administrations have a role to play and a number of practical approaches to problems at the interfaces will be explored," he said.

Sinn Fein's North Belfast assembly member Gerry Kelly said the meeting was long overdue.

"I regret we couldn't come out with a joint statement but certainly there was a communal view against sectarianism at the interfaces," he said.

Ulster Unionist assembly member Fred Cobain said that the meeting signalled "some hope for the future" in ending clashes between unionists and nationalists in Belfast.

But he said that community dialogue would not take place until the paramilitaries took a step back from the violence.

Ian Paisley raised violence with PM

Alex Attwood of the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party said that the meeting was a useful first step.

"But many more steps need to be taken before there is a leap forward in terms of the proper management of interface tensions," he added.

The Democratic Unionist Party said it would not attend the talks.

It said it had elected representatives in a number of interface areas who were continuing their work through talks with various parties.

A DUP delegation met Prime Minister Tony Blair on Tuesday to discuss the level of violence in Northern Ireland since the signing of the Agreement in 1998.

'Highly mobile'

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has said political progress in the province over the past 10 years had been substantial, and predicted more progress in the next decade.

Speaking after a separate meeting with Dr Reid, he said unionists should not bring down the institutions.

"There is no reason why anyone should suspend the political institutions," he said.

In a separate development, business leaders have warned that Northern Ireland's economic future is being put in jeopardy by continuing sectarian violence.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said the prosperity of the province was under serious threat.

The CBI made the statement as it gave its backing to a demonstration against sectarianism, set to take place at Belfast City Hall on Friday.

Cars were burned during clashes

The group's Northern Ireland spokesman, Nigel Smyth, said: "The entire community must realise that these unacceptable activities are putting Belfast's and Northern Ireland's future prosperity at risk.

"We support the anti-sectarian motion put forward by Belfast City Council and are encouraging our members to facilitate support for the lunchtime rally on Friday."

Friday's demonstration was called after the sectarian murder of north Belfast teenager Gerard Lawlor.

The 19-year-old Catholic was shot dead by the loyalist Ulster Freedom Fighters as he walked home after a night out. He was buried last Wednesday.