The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has called on the IRA to clearly state whether or not it intends to decommission its weapons.

Mr Blair said the issue of disarmament had to be resolved now and that the hope of a peaceful future for Northern Ireland should not be let go.

He was speaking as efforts continue to prevent the suspension of the province's two-month old devolved assembly.

The British minister for Northern Ireland, Peter Mandelson says he will restore direct rule from London on Friday unless the IRA begins to decommission its weapons. In a statement issued on Saturday, the IRA said it believed the issue of disarmament could be resolved - but not on British or Ulster Unionist terms.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service