Third night of Belfast clashes

Police officers in Belfast were pelted with fireworks and bricks in the Carlisle Circus area in the north of the city tonight.

Terry Spence, chairman of the Northern Ireland Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said: "Their bravery and courage is in stark contrast to that of the cowardly thugs responsible for trying to murder them."

Police have come under attack in a third night of disturbances in Belfast.

Officers were pelted with fireworks and bricks in the Carlisle Circus area in the north of the city.

Riots around the same location over recent nights have left more than 60 officers injured.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr said: "Northern Ireland cannot afford an 11th hour solution."

The senior officer expressed fears that lives could be lost if the issue is not resolved.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesperson has said missiles, including fireworks, have been thrown at police in the third night of disturbances around the Carlisle Circus area of north Belfast.

Fireworks and bricks have been throw at police in North Belfast tonight. The bottom of the Antrim Road has been closed as police officers respond to a third night of violence.

UTV's Marc Mallett says that tensions in Northern Belfast have been running high for weeks ahead of Monday's violence.

Terry Spence, chairman of the Northern Ireland Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said that the "bravery and courage" of the police stood in "stark contrast to that of the cowardly thugs responsible for trying to murder them."

The disorder in North Belfast on Monday came after 47 police officers were injured on Sunday night during riots linked to a republican parade nearby and a loyalist protest.