The reaction in Northern Ireland

Internal links

Ulster security posts to be pulled down

IRA begins to lay down its arms

Moves on policing at the heart of historic decision

The IRA statement in full

The Commission statement

The reaction in Northern Ireland

'Rebuilding a community as divided as this is going to take a generation'

The importance of the IRA giving up even just one Armalite cannot be overestimated

What the IRA has in its armoury

Symbols of British 'occupation' will be demolished

Leading article: A seismic shift by the IRA deserves to be welcomed

David McKittrick: Why politics beat the paramilitaries

Hardline Ulster Unionist MP, Jeffrey Donaldson

"We will need urgent answers from General de Chastelain about key questions such as: 'Is this a one-off gesture by the IRA or is it a credible process leading to total disarmament set down in the remit of the independent commission?'"

Former Irish prime minister, Albert Reynolds:

"They have no use for guns any more. I always believed it would happen, and said back at the time of the ceasefire in 1994 that the war was over."

David Ervine, leading member of the Progressive Unionist Party:

"Having demanded that we see the bona fides of the republican movement it's incumbent upon us all to get on with the job of moving the process forward. I have no evidence that the UVF or Red Hand Commando is ready to reciprocate."

SDLP leader, John Hume:

"I would like to see now a positive response from David Trimble and the Ulster Unionists to ensure our institutions are back fully in place and that we are down to the real task for the future, which is working together for our common interests."

Sinn Fein national chairman, Mitchel McLaughlin

"This move rekindles all the hope and expectation that was created [by] the Good Friday Agreement."

Peter Robinson, deputy leader of Democratic Unionist Party:

"Smoke and mirrors, and sleight of hand, and fudge and haziness simply won't cut it ... [it] barely scratches the surface."

Irish President, Mary McAleese:

"I think all the 'Yes' people will thinking very much like me – very, very hopeful that we are watching something that is truly historic, that is going to unlock the fullest potential of the peace process."

Liberal Democrat Northern Ireland spokesman, Lembit Opik:

"This is a triumph for those of us who have backed the Good Friday Agreement."

Alliance Party leader, David Ford:

"This move demonstrated to the world how politics really can overcome the prolonged futility of armed conflict."