Unionist to discuss IRA offer

In a move that may remove the final stumbling block to a return of power sharing in Northern Ireland the Ulster Unionist party has decided to meet next week to discuss the recent developments in the search for peace in the province.

The 860-member UUP policy-making council will meet to try and clarify the IRA's recent offer to put it weapons out of use and to decide what their response to the offer should be, UUP leader David Trimble said.

After a meeting of party officers Mr Trimble announced, "In the light of all of the information that comes available over the course of the next week, I will then consider what recommendation to put to the council."