The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alex Maskey today announced plans to convene a meeting of political, civic and religious leaders in Belfast to deal with the problem of continued sectarian conflict in the city.
Sinn Fein's Mr Maskey, who met Northern Ireland Security Minister Jane Kennedy at Stormont today, said the meeting would take place tomorrow afternoon and he was also planning a lunchtime vigil against sectarianism to take place in Belfast City Hall on Friday.
"The ongoing sectarian conflict, the murder of Gerrard Lawlor, the attempted murders on Sunday night and Monday morning and the unrelenting difficulties being experienced in our interface areas all have contributed to an atmosphere of absolute despair and frustration," he said.
"I am calling, primarily on all political leaders to use their influence to bring the current sectarian onslaught to an end.
"It is my intention to convene a meeting tomorrow afternoon of the political, civic and religious leaderships of the city which I hope will contribute significantly toward achieving this end."
PA