The Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, told the House of Commons this afternoon he would be reappointing his three ministers to the Northern Ireland executive following the IRA's move on weapons decommissioning.
Mr Trimble resigned from the executive with his UUP colleagues Sir Reg Empey, Mr Michael McGimpsey and Mr Sam Foster over the lack of movement on IRA arms. They will now to their respective portfolios of Enterprise, Culture and Environment.
Mr Trimble must now try to persuade unionists - from all camps - to back his bid to be re-elected as First Minister.
The Democratic Unionist Party leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, later confirmed on Sky Newsthat his ministers would follow the UUP move.
The British Prime Minister earlier told the House the IRA's announcement of decommissioning meant violence no longer had any part in Northern Ireland society.
Yesterday was "the day when people understood finally that the gun and bomb have no place whatsoever in the future of Northern Ireland", Mr Tony Blair told MPs.
He said all political parties "of any substance" in the North were now committed to exclusively peaceful and democratic methods.
Mr Blair called on loyalist paramilitaries to disarm and work to end the violence in north Belfast. He urged loyalist politicians to exercise their influence to encourage such moves.
"Most of us believe that some of those who engage in paramilitary action, who call themselves loyalist, actually have no loyalty to the principles of the United Kingdom at all."
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Mr Trimble asked what sanctions would be taken against groups which had not achieved full decommissioning by the end of General de Chastelain's remit in February 2002, but Mr Blair said only that the General could deal with any difficulties that arise.
Pressed by the Conservative leader Mr Iain Duncan Smith about the threat posed by groups like the `Real IRA', he said there was a risk from dissidents.
But none of them must be allowed a veto over moving forward into a "more peaceful era".
Demilitarisation is today set to begin in Northern Ireland after confirmation last night that the IRA had begun the decommissioning process.
The Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams said the pulling back of British troops and the military infrastructure of watchtowers guarding border areas like South Armagh should begin "with speed".
Four security installations will be dismantled "logistically and physically as quickly as possible" in the wake of yesterday's decommissioning move by the IRA, Mr Blair's official spokesman said today.
PA