SOUTH ARMAGH, Northern Ireland, July 29 (UPI) -- The British Army began dismantling security posts and bases in South Armagh Friday after the IRA declared an end to its armed campaign.
A base at Forkhill will close, while an observation post at Newtownhamilton police station and a watchtower at Sugerloaf Mountain will also be removed.
An updated program of "security normalisation" will be published soon.
The Army's general officer commanding, Lt. Gen. Sir Reddy Watt, told the BBC: "In light of yesterday's developments, the chief constable and I have decided that a further reduction in security profile is possible."
The British government is also planning to introduce legislation in the fall to allow paramilitary fugitives to return home.
The moves came after the IRA released a video statement Thursday ordering all its units to dump arms and to engage in "exclusively peaceful" means to achieve its aim of a united Ireland.
The British and Irish governments are now considering the next steps towards restoring devolution, though Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has said this will not happen soon.
Democratic Unionist Party Leader Ian Paisley remains deeply skeptical, telling the BBC that no one could make him sit down with unrepentant "murderers."
