Feuding loyalist paramilitaries will be left behind unless they call a halt to their bitter power struggle, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain warned tonight.
Mr Hain urged the terror organisations waging a turf war on the streets of Belfast that has left two men dead to step back from self destruction.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain
Even though the focus has been on the IRA's announcement that it was ending its armed struggle, tensions between the rival Ulster Volunteer Force and Loyalist Volunteer Force have been dangerously high.
Hundreds of paramilitaries laid siege to an east Belfast housing estate to force families associated with their enemies to flee their homes, and police have staged major security operations in Holywood, Co Down, in a bid to prevent any repeat.
Mr Hain hit out at the intimidation and violence being carried out by men claiming to represent their own communities.
"This has to stop. Loyalism will be left behind if it doesn't step back from the self destruct mode that it is currently engaged in," he said.
"No longer can there be areas plagued with feuds and murders - gangsters masquerading as Loyalism."
The Secretary of State insisted he wanted to see all sides abandon paramilitary activity and criminality following the IRA's decision to ditch its guns for good.
"We recognise the fact that there are many issues affecting loyalist areas and we have set up structures at ministerial level to help to address them," he said. "How can there be constructive political engagement in an atmosphere of murder and mayhem?
"I want to make Northern Ireland a world class place that its people deserves. Loyalism needs to move with the times and bring itself forward into the new future that is on offer in Northern Ireland."