The BBC's Mark Davenport reports on Tony Blair's efforts to reassure the RUC

Moving to head off criticism from the province's policemen, Mr Blair broke off from meetings with Northern Ireland's political leaders to underline his pre-referendum promise.

Mr Blair was reacting after the annual conference of the Northern Ireland Police Federation warned him not to use the forthcoming commission on the RUC to meddle with the force.

Northern Ireland Police Federation: No to disbandment

Chairman of the Northern Ireland Police Federation, Les Rodgers, said officers would not accept "two-tier policing, paramilitaries in our ranks and disbandment of this proud force".

Speaking after a meeting with Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble, Mr Blair said: "There will be no paramilitaries running the police service. That would be quite wrong."

David Trimble: Suspicions that Republicans are "exploiting tensions"

But he stressed: "If we can change the context in which policing takes place to one of peace and stability and progress, then hopefully we can get policing done in a normal way which is what all the members of the RUC want, quite apart from the public."

Mr Blair remains under pressure from unionists over the exact nature of other controversial parts of the settlement, including the early release of paramilitary prisoners and, critically, decommissioning of arms.

Paramilitary arms: Unionists want a start to decommissioning

Ulster Unionists want to see a start to decommissioning before they will agree to parties such as Sinn Fein taking office in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Mr Blair said it was for the independent decommissioning body to decide the precise timing of its work.

"There is a process which is already under way and it is for the independent commission to actually launch their schemes," he said.

"That's something the parties have got to adhere to.

"It's in the agreement."

Decommission remains stumbling block

Adams: Blair must "deliver change"

David Trimble said both his and Mr Blair's credibility depended on the Prime Minister adhering to his pre-referendum pledges on the issue.

"The Prime Minister assured us of his intention to stick very clearly to the pledges," said Mr Trimble.

"He will co-operate with us in ensuring that those pledges are clearly reflected and embodied in the legislation."

Adams: No "preconditions to office"

But Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said Mr Blair had made clear to him that there were no preconditions linked to decommissioning - the only bar to taking office was lack of support at the ballot box.

"(The Prime Minister) made clear that there aren't any preconditions and there can't be any preconditions," said Mr Adams.

"I don't think anyone can try to rewrite that agreement."