The RUC, backed up by the British Army, was maintaining a strong presence in north Belfast last night following the controversial Orange Order Tour of the North parade.
Despite a number of token protests the rerouted parade passed off relatively peacefully.
Loyalists angered at the rerouteing of the parade were involved in brief stand-offs at two flashpoint areas along the six-mile route.
The first stand-off occurred in the Manor Street and nationalist Cliftonville Road area, where missiles were thrown by local youths into police lines after the parade resumed. The second stand-off came at Duncairn Gardens when lines of RUC Land Rovers blocked the parade from entering the nationalist New Lodge area, and involved bandsmen, local women and Orangemen. It lasted for about 10 minutes and then the marchers proceeded along the rerouted stretch.
Earlier, a large crowd had gathered at Carlisle Circus by 7.30 p.m., and lines of Orangemen collected outside the Orange Hall in Clifton Street. A strong army presence was visible in the surrounding streets and RUC Land Rovers blocked the Antrim Road as the parade prepared to move off.
Around 1,500 Orangemen and more than 20 marching bands took part in the bi-annual parade over a six-mile route through north Belfast.
A number of marching bands from the Shankill Road and other areas were at the forefront of the parade, which was watched by large crowds.
At about 9 p.m. last night the RUC came under further attack with youngsters throwing stones and bottles.