Trimble quits N.Ireland post

Trimble quit as first minister at midnight on Saturday

BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- The troubled peace process in Northern Ireland is entering a new period of uncertainty following the resignation of first minister David Trimble.

Trimble quit the post as expected at midnight on Saturday, carrying out a threat made weeks ago when he said he would step down unless the Irish Republican Army began handing over arms.

The move came following minor clashes between Protestants and Catholics during a contentious loyalist parade in Belfast. The Protestant "marching season," during which historic victories over Catholics are celebrated, is an annual flashpoint for potential trouble.

Trimble, leader of the Protestant Ulster Unionists, had submitted a post-dated resignation letter several weeks ago, and a Northern Ireland Office spokesman told Reuters early on Sunday: "As of midnight, David Trimble ceased to be First Minister of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government."

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Trimble, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize winner with Catholic leader John Hume for their part in the 1998 Good Friday peace accord, has asked Trade Minister Reg Empey, another Ulster Unionist, to take over his duties.

The power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly will now be given six weeks to consider its next move -- which could involve reappointing Trimble or replacing him.

After that period the assembly could be suspended, meaning the return of direct rule from the UK parliament in Westminster, and new elections could be called.

Trimble was in France attending a commemoration of the First World War Battle of the Somme, in which many soldiers from Northern Ireland died, when his resignation came into effect.

"I am sorry that David Trimble has resigned today as first minister, although I fully understand the reasons why he has felt it necessary to do so," British Prime Minister Tony Blair said in a statement issued early on Sunday.

"David Trimble has been a good first minister for the people of Northern Ireland and I hope that he will be able to resume that role shortly.

"Like David I too want to see the full implementation of the Good Friday agreement in all its aspects and that will be our aim in the talks over the coming days."

Empey said his role would be to perform the functions of First Minister but not take the title or salary. He said he hoped Trimble would be re-elected as first minister.

"This is only a sticking plaster solution for a very short time, for a matter of weeks," Empey said.

He said his party would not share power with Sinn Fein, the republican political party, unless the IRA started to disarm.

Sinn Fein leaders have said Trimble's resignation amounts to an evasion of responsibility for peace in the province.

The IRA has twice opened up arms dumps for international inspection to prove that the weapons have not been used, but Protestant politicians say that is not enough.

The minor scuffles during Saturday's march Belfast came as a barrier was placed to seal off a Catholic area of the city before the march.

The next potential flashpoint march is the Drumcree parade in a week's time, when Protestants file past a Catholic area in Portadown.

Canadian General John de Chastelain is due to present his latest report on weapons decommissioning to the UK Government early next week.