We are going to go now to Northern Ireland where President Bush and British Prime Minister have been meeting outside Belfast to discuss the administration of post-war Iraq and the role of the United Nations.

Blair said earlier today the UN would have a “vital role” in the effort to repair Iraq’s infrastructure–but said ultimately the country must be run by the Iraqi people.

Although the former U.S. General Jay Garner is set to be put in place to head up Iraq, President Bush gave the impression that the interim authority would be made up of Iraqis from inside and outside the country.

Outside the summit more than 1000 antiwar demonstrators protested near Hillsborough Castle, south of Belfast where the talks were being held.

The demonstrators came from all over Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, converging on Hillsborough in a procession of cars and chartered buses over 2 miles long.

• Davy Carlin, representative from the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance, the largest trade union in Northern Ireland, to the Stop the War Coalition of Northern Ireland.
• Mairead Corrigan McGuire, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for her work in Northern Ireland and co-founder of the Peace People. She has been on a liquid fast since the invasion of Iraq began. She is holding a silent vigil in front of the White House every day from noon to 2 p.m.