The youngest member of the leadership of the Ulster Defence Association has vowed in an interview that Catholics will die in "like for like" violence.
In an interview published in today's Guardianthe unnamed new commander of the North Belfast chapter of the Ulster Defence Association said: "I am not a bigot. I don't believe in shooting people because of their views. But if they (Catholic "republicans") hit Protestants, it will be like for like," the paramilitary leader."
The 25-year-old commander, born to a Belfast working class neighbourhood mother and an Egyptian father, is believed to be the youngest person ever to serve on the UDA's six-strong ruling inner council.
"It was a macho thing when I was hanging out with friends who were also getting involved," he said. "The younger generation of UDA would be quicker to react if Protestants are attacked, while older men caution them not to run in.
"You need that mix of energy and experience."
He suggested the murder of Catholic teenager Gerard Lawlor last month in a drive-by shooting on a night that saw several other violent incidents could be a harbinger of things to come.
Lawlor had no links to Catholic paramilitaries, but the UDA called his killing a "measured military response" to attacks on Protestants.
"Tensions were high on the night Gerard Lawlor was killed; but if someone else was shot, I couldn't say it wouldn't happen again," he said.