LONDON, March 3 (UPI) -- The difficulties facing the Northern Ireland peace process will be resolved, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said Thursday.
Ahern made the comment following a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street to discuss the current deadlock in the political process.
Despite the current problems, the British and Irish governments were continuing to work for "an inclusive, comprehensive peace settlement," he said.
No new peace initiatives are expected before Britain's general election, widely predicted for May 5.
The talks came as Sinn Fein and its paramilitary wing, the IRA, were blamed by the governments and other parties for the current impasse.
Despite such criticism, Ahern said he believed leader Gerry Adams and chief negotiator Martin McGuinness were attempting to find a comprehensive solution.
Sinn Fein is facing financial sanctions from the British government over allegations the IRA carried out a $50 million robbery at the Northern Bank in Belfast in December. The IRA has denied it.
Last week, Blair said Sinn Fein could not be part of the government of Northern Ireland unless the IRA gave up paramilitary and criminal activity.
The IRA's refusal to do so was the reason for the current political stalemate, he said.
