Peace boat docks in Belfast

The boat is making its 46th voyage to promote peace

A boat travelling around the world promoting peace has docked in Northern Ireland.

The Japanese liner arrived in Belfast on Wednesday and will then make its way to New York for the third anniversary of the 11 September attacks.

The boat is carrying the Flame of Peace which had been alight at the Olympics in Athens.

The Flame, which originated in Hiroshima, is being passed to Belfast before being taken across the Atlantic.

Nine hundred Japanese peace activists have begun two days in the city as part of the boat's 46th peace voyage.

The idea dates from 1983 when a group of young Japanese people became alarmed by the country's attempts to rewrite its imperialist past.

Organiser Matt Miller says it is an ideal way to show how the peace process in the province is working.

"This is a really exciting opportunity for people in Northern Ireland to demonstrate to the rest of the world how well we are doing with our peace process," he said.

"Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that we have been and are continuing to make progress.

"By the likes of the peace boat coming along it gives us an idea that the rest of the world is still interested and supportive of what is happening here."

The Peace Boat will carry a message of support to New York from Belfast's Lord Mayor, Tom Ekin.

Mr Ekin's letter speaks of the "longstanding and deep-rooted relationships between the peoples of our two cities", adding that these relationships will "continue to grow from strength to strength".