Violence in interface areas is the greatest threat to the peace process, Sinn Fein said today.
North Belfast MLA Mr Gerry Kelly rejected Ulster Unionist Party claims that they faced a dilemma in sharing power with his party and insisted all parties must work together to combat sectarianism.
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He said: "I have listened in the last week or two to some unionists talk about a dilemma in the peace process, and I have to say the reaction I'm getting on the ground is people are talking about dilemmas when people are getting thrown out of their houses.
"I have just got a report this morning of dozens of Catholics in the last short while who have had to leave Antrim for instance. Gerard Lawlor, who was a young man who was shot dead because he was a Catholic.
"And people are saying there's the dilemma. There are houses being attacked in interface areas throughout Belfast and people are saying there's the dilemma.
"If the Good Friday Agreement is to mean anything then it has to mean something to those people who are suffering that, and especially over the last two years concentrated to a great extent in north Belfast but also in out-lying areas like Larne and Antrim."
Mr Kelly added: "You know about east Belfast, it will spread to north Belfast and what we need to do is de-escalate the situation."
Mr Kelly's comments came just hours before Assembly members were due to attend a meeting chaired by Northern Ireland Office minister Mr Des Browne aimed at combating violence in interface areas.
It arises from a commitment made by Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid in the House of Commons last week that the British government would engage with community representatives at all levels to deal with problems in flash-point areas.
On Friday a demonstration against sectarianism, supported by the trade union movement and business leaders, will be held at Belfast City Hall.
PA