N. Ireland pols told 'stop posturing'

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BELFAST, Northern Ireland, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- A leading police officer in Northern Ireland told politicians Wednesday they must "stop posturing" and resolve sectarian tensions after nights of rioting.

Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr said the disputes over parades must be ended quickly, the Belfast Telegraph reported. More than 50 Police Service of Northern Ireland officers were injured in violence that began Sunday when Protestant loyalists became angry over a Catholic parade.

"It is not acceptable to expect the Police Service to sit as the meat in a sandwich and to get injured every single night as a result of the inability of civic society of Northern Ireland to be able to resolve this issue," Kerr said. "I would say to politicians -- stop posturing. Resolve this."

Kerr said most of the attacks on police appeared to be the work of loyalists, but he said there is no proof groups like the Ulster Volunteer Force organized or encouraged the violence. Police responded by firing plastic bullets and water cannon.

On Sept. 29, a large loyalist parade is planned to mark the 100th anniversary of the Ulster Covenant, drawn up in reaction to a bill to give Ireland home rule. The parade route goes by St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

"What we fear is someone getting killed," Kerr said. "You cannot sustain levels of violence at this level and not worry about someone getting killed and the consequences for community relations and politics in Northern Ireland."