The chairman of the Stormont talks, Senator George Mitchell, flew back to the US last Tuesday because his wife, Ms Heather MacLachan, had suffered a miscarriage.
An aide confirmed yesterday that Mr Mitchell returns to Belfast tonight and will be back at the talks tomorrow. During Mr Mitchell's absence a former Finnish prime minister, Mr Harri Holkeri, has been chairing the talks.
The Mitchells had been expecting their first child. Mr Mitchell has a daughter in her 20s from his first marriage.