March 27, 2007	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 7, 1428

BELFAST: Northern Ireland's rival party leaders struck a landmark deal on Monday to restore self-rule in Belfast on May 8, hailing a “new era” of politics for the British province.

Democratic Unionist (DUP) leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams agreed to hold “regular” talks between now and then, they said after their first-ever face-to-face talks hours ahead of a deadline for a deal. “In the next few days, detailed work will begin involving all of the executive parties to follow a programme for government to be finalised for the start of devolution,” said Paisley in a statement after the talks.“This will require regular meetings in the next few weeks.

“After a long and difficult time in our province, I believe that enormous opportunities lie ahead for our province. Devolution has never been an end in itself but is about making a positive difference to people's lives. Adams, sitting a few feet away from Paisley, said in a separate statement that the accord “marks the beginning of a new era of politics on this island.” The two towering figures of Northern Irish politics did not shake hands for the cameras after the meeting, the first ever between the pair after decades of mutual enmity.—AFP