British Prime Minister David Cameron Wednesday urged the leaders of Northern Ireland to ease the current tension in the province by breaking down the long-standing "barriers of segregation."
Cameron told parliament in London that Protestant leaders in the province should endeavour to "build a shared future ... where we break down the barriers, barriers of segregation that have been in
place for very many years."
On earlier occasions, Cameron has condemned the violent street protests in Belfast that were triggered by a council decision in December to restrict the hoisting of the British Union Jack to 19
designated days per year.
Many in Northern Ireland's Protestant community feel that the council ruling is an attack on their historical and cultural links with Britain.
The protests, which began on the night of the decision on December 3, have escalated recently, resulting in six successive nights of serious clashes in Protestant-dominated east Belfast.
More than 100 demonstrators have been arrested, and nearly 70 police officers injured since they began. The costs of policing are estimated at 7 million pounds (11.2 million dollars).
On Wednesday, the flag was hoisted - for the first time since the December vote - to mark the 31st birthday of Kate, duchess of Cambridge, the wife of Prince William.