Northern Ireland leaders hold emergency talks over Belfast rioting

Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers are to hold emergency talks with Assembly members from north Belfast in an attempt to end the sectarian violence and rioting in the city over the last three days. Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness will host the cross-party meeting of north Belfast assemblymen and women at Stormont Castle on Wednesday. The discussions follow a third night of violence close to the Lower Shankill estate near the Antrim Road. Police came under attack again with bricks, stones and fireworks in Denmark Street. Three more officers were injured in Tuesday night's trouble although none of them needed hospital treatment. Senior police commanders have called on local politicians to address the parading issue that lies at the heart of the tensions in north Belfast. Assistant chief constable Will Kerr has vowed to arrest those involved in the attacks on his officers. He said: "Let me be clear, we have made seven arrests already and with a robust criminal justice strategy in place there will be more." Three men, aged 18, 19 and 20, have been charged with riotous assembly and are expected to appear at Belfast magistrates' court on Wednesday. The 19-year-old is also charged with resisting police, indecent behaviour, possession of a blade in a public place and three counts of assault on police. The 18-year-old faces three counts of assault on police. Two boys, aged 15 and 17, are due at Belfast youth court on Wednesday charged with riotous assembly.