Tony Blair: hoping for "a future free of violence and hatred"

"Let's see whether ceasefire is genuine"

London And Dublin Welcome IRA Ceasefire

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has welcomed news of

But Mr Blair warned that many problems remained ahead. He said the Government would assess the operation of the truce with great care, to make sure that it was a "genuine and clear and unequivocal ceasefire".

"What we and others want to see is an end to violence for good and an irrevocable commitment to peaceful means," he continued.

He said that following the continuing loyalist ceasefire and last week's "courageous" Orange Order decisions on Protestant marches, there was now "a new mood of hope for peace and a lasting political settlement in Northern Ireland".

Mo Mowlam: Delighted

"Need to reassure Unionists over decommissioning"

The Northern Ireland Secretary, Mo Mowlam, echoed his sentiments. "I am delighted. It is good news for the people of Northern Ireland," she said. "I look forward to a continuation of the words and deeds in the days and weeks ahead."

She indicated that contacts between the Government and Sinn Fein would begin immediately after the IRA ceasefire came into force. But she admitted it was a difficult time for unionists and promised that she and the Prime Minister would do all they could to reassure them.

"They are in a difficult position on decommissioning. I think it is important for us to acknowledge that, and then we will do what we can to try to reassure them, to show what the talks process can hold for them," said Ms Mowlam.

Ian Taylor, Northern Ireland spokesman for the Conservatives, welcomed the ceasefire, but warned that past experience showed that the IRA could not be fully trusted. He said the IRA had promised to stop fighting before, but had gone "on the rampage again" when the peace talks did not produce what they wanted.

Unionist politicians in Northern Ireland greeted the ceasefire news with scepticism.

Bertie Ahern: Hopeful

In Dublin, the Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, welcomed the IRA announcement, saying he looked forward to the opening of substantive all-party talks in September.

"I think there's an unequivocal restoration of the ceasefire. The word permanent is what we understand it to be. I think an unequivocal restoration of the ceasefire is the important matter," he said.

"We all want a permanent peace and I think the IRA are saying they're enhancing that search for a democratic peace settlement through real, inclusive negotiations which we're going to move into," said Mr Ahern.

The Irish leader said he hoped the statement would be broadly welcomed. "And hopefully, what is in it will be then translated into real and meaningful talks with the absence of violence for the future," he added.

Both the British and the Irish governments have said a new ceasefire must hold at least six weeks before Sinn Fein can enter the talks in September.

President Clinton Praises Peace Efforts

The US President, Bill Clinton, welcomed the IRA's ceasefire, praising those who had "taken the risks of principled compromise" to seek a peaceful future. Mr Clinton promised strong American support for the peace process.

He said the United States expected the ceasefire to be "implemented unequivocally and permanently". He predicted that it could "open the door to inclusive negotations to achieve a just and lasting settlement". Northern Ireland was seeing a "moment of great possibility".