Britain: Paramilitary groups' cease-fires over

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (CNN) -- The British government declared Friday that two loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland are no longer considered to be observing cease-fires.

The British secretary of state for Northern Ireland, John Reid, made the announcement Friday afternoon in Belfast. The groups were supposed to be observing cease-fires in support of Northern Ireland's 1998 peace accord.

The announcement follows serious violence involving two Protestant paramilitary organizations in the past few weeks.

One of the organizations, the Ulster Defense Association (UDA), was accused of orchestrating street rioting in North Belfast.

The other group, the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF), is suspected of being behind the murder of an investigative journalist.

Although it is not automatic, Friday's ruling means some former prisoners who were members of the organizations could be returned to prison.

There are now fears in Belfast of an escalation in the campaign of violence, particularly by the UDA.