Downing Street talks end with no agreement reached

Talks in Downing Street aimed at paving the way for Assembly elections in Northern Ireland have broken up without agreement.

Delegations from both Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party left Downing Street within minutes of each other this afternoon, with both parties making positive noises and committing themselves to further talks.

"It's not there yet," Mr Trimble told reporters as he left the summit.

After more than five hours of talks involving the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, the US envoy, Mr Richard Haass, and delegations from Sinn Fein and the UUP, all sides adopted an upbeat tone.

"The aim is very clear, to try and make sure that we hold democratic elections in Northern Ireland in a positive and constructive atmosphere," Mr Blair told reporters. "The omens are all very, very good," he added.

"There has been useful work done. There has been a degree of progress but...it's not all there yet," Mr Trimble said after the meeting broke-up

Minutes later Mr Adams also sounded conciliatory. "There was certainly a series of positive engagements," he said. "Those discussions will continue. I am still hopeful we will get to where we want to be."

But the Taoiseach warned time was short. "We want to see elections held...allowing for the institutions to work as we originally envisaged," Mr Ahern said.

"The atmosphere of all of the parties has been to try to achieve that."