Nationalist and loyalist gangs clash in Belfast

Police in Belfast today kept rival nationalists and loyalists apart in a sectarian flash-point area in the city after minor skirmishes…

Police in Belfast today kept rival nationalists and loyalists apart in a sectarian flash-point area in the city after minor skirmishes broke out.

Police and soldiers were summoned to the North Queen Street area of North Belfast as rival gangs squared up to each other.

Republicans claimed the trouble began when loyalists erected a Union Jack and Israeli flags in the area.

They also accused police of pushing nationalists back as a crowd of between 30 and 40 loyalists followed in behind police lines to stone houses.

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Sinn Fein councillor Mr Eoin O'Broinn said: "At this stage there doesn't appear to be anyone hurt.

"There is a heavy police and army presence with around 15 jeeps in the area.

"This area has been pretty quiet in recent weeks but the trouble appears to have returned in the last 24 hours."

Mr O'Broinn claimed a loyalist returning from a junior Orange parade in Portadown tried to gain access to the nationalist side of Carlisle Circus.

PA