Missiles thrown at N.Ireland march

Barracades were set up in Belfast

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (CNN) -- Tensions are running high after the first major parade of Northern Ireland's annual marching season.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Shankill Road in West Belfast, a predominantly Protestant area, to watch the Protestant Orange Order parade.

The Parades Commission approved the route by the White Rock Orange Order, which passed mainly through Protestant areas but also through some Catholic areas along Springfield Road, despite angry objections from residents there.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary, the police force in Northern Ireland, was out in force along the parade route, especially in the Catholic areas.

AUDIO Huge security operation mounted 733 KB / 60 secs AIFF or WAV sound

About 1,500 British troops were also brought in for the marching season.

During the march, missiles were thrown across the so-called 'peace line' by both loyalist and nationalists.

The scuffles broke out as riot police and troops sealed off a tense area in west Belfast ahead of a controversial parade on Saturday.

There were scenes of panic as the demonstrators returned the missiles and dodged stones coming over the wall.

The episode happened after news was received that the loyalist parade further up the road and out of sight had entered the Springfield Road.

There were unruly scenes as the nationalist demonstrators retreated, pelting police with plastic and glass bottles, cans, sticks and other missiles.

Earlier, scuffles began when troops attempted to move into a garden, the UK Press Association said.

Police borrowed two water cannon from the Belgian government amid a tight security operation.

The parade comes at the start of a tense weekend in Northern Ireland, with first minister David Trimble saying on Saturday he expects to carry out his threat to quit over a lack of arms decommisioning by paramilitaries.

Church leaders have appealed for calm in advance of what could be one of the most difficult periods in Northern Ireland since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998.

Speaking at Belfast Airport on Saturday before heading to France, Trimble told Reuters: "I expect my resignation will go ahead, I don't think anything will happen to change that. It's out of my hands now."

The Ulster Unionist leader, who gave notice of his intention to quit on July 1, is frustrated by a lack of progress by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in handing over weapons.

He said he did not have high hopes a report by Canadian General John de Chastelain, head of the international independent body monitoring decommissioning of arms, would change his position.

Hours later, as the march preparations continued, there were angry confrontations with police over the sealing off of the area.

The Springfield Road area has been scene of violent clashes in recent weeks, while the Whiterock parade marks the start of two weeks of hotly disputed annual marches throughout Northern Ireland by the Protestant organisation.

Springfield residents' action group spokeswoman Frances McAuley told PA: "We've never seen a display like this year's. People are really, really angry."

Residents said the nationalist Pollard and Ballyside Estates -- around 500 families -- were being cordoned off for today to allow the parade to go ahead.

The march comes ahead of the big Drumcree march in Portadown, County Armagh, in eight days' time.

Meanwhile, Trimble was reported by the BBC to have appointed cabinet minister Reg Empey to take over as head of the power-sharing government when he resigns.

"I have been asked to take over those functions if the resignation is effected," Empey was quoted saying.

He described it as a "sticking-plaster solution" to allow time for negotiations.

If Trimble does quit there would be a six week period in which the central government could seek to restore stability.

But the assembly could then be suspended, with the restoration of direct rule from the UK's Westminster parliament.