A potential political crisis in Northern Ireland has been averted after Sinn Féin agreed to resume governance with the Democratic Unionist Party.
Fresh talks will be held with Gordon Brown on Friday after the last-minute solution. A dispute over the devolution of policing and justice responsibilities has not been resolved.
DUP leader Peter Robinson will become First Minister alongside Sinn Fein deputy Martin McGuinness. Republicans had been engaged in talks over whether to nominate Mr McGuinness tomorrow amid lack of progress on the security issue.
Both parties held talks earlier this week with the Prime Minister in London to avert the possibility of fresh Assembly elections.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said: “I am very pleased to say that I will be nominating Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister.
“The Office of the First and Deputy First Minister is a joint and co-equal office.
“Those two are in that office can only fulfil their responsibilities if they are mindful of that fact.”
British prime minister Gordon Brown said tonight he had invited Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness to talks at Number 10 on Friday.
“On the agenda will be various urgent issues, including the forward investment strategy for Northern Ireland, the economic situation, devolution of policing and justice, continuing concerns around paramilitary organisations, parades, sites, the Irish language and education, and the putting in place of a process to deal with them,” Mr Brown said in a statement.
“I look forward to my continuing involvement with the First and deputy First Ministers.
“I remain committed to the continuing implementation of the St Andrews agreement and to helping the parties to address those issues that have been raised with me and require resolution.”