Seven people were being questioned tonight after loyalist petrol bombers attacked police during fierce rioting in North Belfast.
Up to 100 masked youths enraged by searches linked to a paramilitary show of strength also set alight several hijacked vans and lorries.
Fire crews had to pull out after being attacked by bricks and bottles as today's disorder, linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force, raged for hours.
At one stage a police commander gave the order for baton rounds to be fired at the mob, only for the trouble to subside.
But as officers prepared for any new outbreak, Supt Gary White rejected allegations that heavy-handed raids provoked the clashes.
He said: "Even if police officers were, and I'm not for one minute accepting they were, does that justify three to four hours of serious rioting, petrol bombing, paint bombing and several vehicles burnt out.
Some people have lost their livelihoods." Violence flared in the Woodvale area at around midday where a major police search operation had been carried out following the suspected UVF show of strength on Saturday.
A gun and loyalist paramilitary material was seized, police said. But as officers prepared to leave, a mob gathered and launched a barrage of attacks. Dozens of petrol and paint bombs were fired at police Land Rovers, and although no officers were injured Mr White insisted some could have been seriously injured or killed if they had left their vehicles.
Four people have been arrested on suspicion of serious terror offences over the weekend and a further three in relation to the rioting that erupted today, he confirmed.
The UVF, which is locked in a deadly feud with rival loyalist terrorists that have so far claimed four lives, has been blamed for plotting the violence. Mr White linked the organisation to the weekend's events but would only say of the latest outbreak of trouble "there was an element of orchestration behind it".
Police chiefs managed to restore order after holding talks with community representatives and Mr White urged influential figures to do more in a bid to stop fresh disturbances. He warned anyone planning to go on the rampage again that his officers were ready for them.
"We are talking about serious criminal terrorist activity and we will not stand for it," he insisted.