Sinn Fein President Mr Gerry Adams says he is willing to meet the loyalist paramilitary group, the UDA, in an effort to diffuse tensions in North Belfast that have seen weeks of rioting culminate in the drive-by shooting of an 18 year-old.
Despite accusing the Ulster Defence Army of orchestrating violence in North Belfast in a bid to wreck the peace process, he said he was prepared to meet - for the first time - the loyalist group.
Earlier today, the UDA-linked Red Hand Defenders said it was responsible for the shooting of 18-year-old Mr Gavin Brett, in north Belfast.
Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid tonight said he is to have an urgent meeting tomorrow withRUC chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and security advisors to discuss the worsening violence.
He said he was disgusted by the "cowardly" ofmurder Mr Brett but he warned the response would be tough and uncompromising.
In a statement to a local radio station today, the Red Hand Defenders said it was going to "increase the ferocity" of its campaign against the Catholic community.
Irish and British government ministers have condemned the killing. "The perpetrators of this heinous act must not be allowed to succeed in their attempts to return to the devastation and violence of the past," said Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Mr David Trimble also urged loyalists to end the violence. "I call upon those with influence within loyalism to use it to bring an end to this madness. Those who have influence within republicanism must equally use it to bring an end to their violence," Mr Trimble said in a statement.
Mr Adams has strongly denied any republican orchestration of violence."We know that the UDA ceasefire is over. What is causing anger [among Catholics] is the refusal by the British government and by particularly the RUC hierarchy to state that publicly," Mr Adams said.
Meanwhile, the victim of last night's killing, Mr Gavin Brett, was described by his uncle Peter as "a very loving kid, like many others."
"He was ready for a wonderful future. I just cannot believe that he is gone," Mr Brett said.
Commentators say the gunman had apparently hoped to kill a Roman Catholic when he sprayed shots from a car at the group of youths but Mr Gavin Brett was a Protetsant living in the mixed community of Glengormley.
Another young man is in hospital after receiving a bullet-wound to the the ankle during the attack.
AFPand PA