Clinton 'confident' of progress

Mr Clinton said he was the "cheerleader for peace" in NI

Former US President Bill Clinton has held talks with the main political parties in Northern Ireland saying "the ball is in their court".

Mr Clinton said he believes politicians in the province are serious about wanting to reach an accommodation.

He also met with the Northern Ireland Secretary, Paul Murphy, who welcomed any assistance the former president could provide.

Mr Clinton is in Belfast to promote his new book, My Life.

Speaking at a book signing event in Belfast city centre, Mr Clinton rejected any suggestion the Good Friday Agreement was dead because the DUP wanted it renegotiated.

The public wants to go forward and the politicians want to govern Bill Clinton Former US president

He said that the DUP accepted the fundamentals of consent and devolution and that while they had some issues with minority rights in the government, they could be resolved.

He added that he loved coming to Northern Ireland, and described himself as the "cheerleader for peace" in the province.

Earlier, Mr Clinton was asked by reporters if he thought the IRA was ready to disband.

"I don't know, I just think that what is being said is encouraging," he said.

"The fact that we have been without a government for over a year and a half now and nothing too bad has happened because the public wants to go forward and the politicians want to govern."

Senator Hillary Clinton met women's groups in Belfast

Speaking after his meeting with Mr Clinton, DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said he had outlined his party's position to him.

Mr Robinson said his party was ready for a deal and it was important that Mr Clinton understood that balance was required.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said he had told Mr Clinton that his party would approach next month's talks in a positive and constructive manner.

However, he said the DUP could not set the bar at "heaven's height" over issues such as policing and justice and added that the prime minister would have to face down what he called "outlandish positions" by the DUP.

Mr Clinton also held talks with Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble and SDLP leader Mark Durkan.

Meanwhile, his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, attended an event in Belfast City Hall to meet a cross-section of local women.

After a series of meetings with politicians in Belfast, the New York senator told the conference that she and her husband wanted to see further progress.

She urged Northern Ireland politicians to inspire others around the world by moving the political process forward.

"Given the challenges and dangers in the modern world we all inhabit, working towards further resolution of the issues that are tediously stubborn and difficult here in Northern Ireland is essential, not only to the progress which can occur here but could be a real example to what can be done elsewhere."

Paul Murphy welcomed whatever assistance Mr Clinton could give

Afterwards, she later delivered an address on peace and reconciliation during a visit to the University of Ulster.

The former first lady gave the latest Tip O'Neill lecture at the Magee Campus in Londonderry.

She said: "We are in a new and difficult world. It requires unity of purpose and commitment to stand for the fundamental principles that underlie the Good Friday Agreement."

On Friday, the Clintons will visit the Clinton Peace Centre in Enniskillen in County Fermanagh.

They were the first White House couple to visit Northern Ireland.

Mr Clinton visited Northern Ireland three times while in office - in 1995, 1998 and 2000.

He first visited in November 1995, 15 months after the IRA announced its first ceasefire, and was greeted by thousands of people on the streets as he switched on Belfast's Christmas lights.

His second visit in 1998 came months after the dissident republican bombing of Omagh, while his last visit as president came in 2000 in the final months of his White House tenure.

He has also visited the province twice since he left office.