In Pics: Biden urges Northern Ireland parties to restore power-sharing on Good Friday anniversary visit
US President Joe Biden urged political compromise in Northern Ireland on April 12, using a brief visit to promote the benefits of enduring peace and investment, but faced heated criticism from pro-UK hardliners.
US President Joe Biden urged political compromise in Northern Ireland on April 12, using a brief visit to promote the benefits of enduring peace and investment, but faced heated criticism from pro-UK hardliners. (Image: AP)
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"I hope the (Northern Ireland) Executive and Assembly will soon be restored," Biden said in a speech at Ulster University, urging feuding political leaders to restore power-sharing government which has been suspended since February last year. (Image: AP)
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Biden touted the "unlimited possibilities" for investment and growth offered in the UK-ruled territory, 25 years on from a historic peace deal brokered by the US government. (Image: AP)
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But peace and stability must always be guarded, he added, saying the January 6, 2021, riot at Congress in Washington had proved that in every generation, "democracy needs champions". (Image: Reuters)
The Irish-American president met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who declared the UK's relationship with the US was "in great shape". Biden also greeted local political leaders ahead of his speech. (Image: AFP)
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He said on April 11 that the priority for his trip -- which includes three days in his ancestral homeland, the Republic of Ireland -- was "to keep the peace" in Northern Ireland. (Image: Reuters)
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But senior figures in the pro-UK Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which is under pressure to resume local power-sharing, were strikingly undiplomatic about the president. (Image: AP)
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US President Joe Biden landed in Northern Ireland on April 11, hoping to help maintain the fragile peace brokered 25 years ago after decades of sectarian violence over British rule. (Image: AP)
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met Biden on the tarmac when he touched down in the Northern Irish capital, just 24 hours after the landmark anniversary of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement. (Image: AP)
!["I hope the (Northern Ireland) Executive and Assembly will soon be restored," Biden said in a speech at Ulster University, urging feuding political leaders to restore power-sharing government which has been suspended since February last year. (Image: AP)](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2023/04/4-biden-visit-belfast.jpg ""I hope the (Northern Ireland) Executive and Assembly will soon be restored," Biden said in a speech at Ulster University, urging feuding political leaders to restore power-sharing government which has been suspended since February last year. (Image: AP)")
![Biden touted the "unlimited possibilities" for investment and growth offered in the UK-ruled territory, 25 years on from a historic peace deal brokered by the US government. (Image: AP)](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2023/04/1-biden-visit-belfast.jpg "Biden touted the "unlimited possibilities" for investment and growth offered in the UK-ruled territory, 25 years on from a historic peace deal brokered by the US government. (Image: AP)")
![But peace and stability must always be guarded, he added, saying the January 6, 2021, riot at Congress in Washington had proved that in every generation, "democracy needs champions". (Image: Reuters)](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2023/04/3-biden-visit-belfast.jpg "But peace and stability must always be guarded, he added, saying the January 6, 2021, riot at Congress in Washington had proved that in every generation, "democracy needs champions". (Image: Reuters)")
![The Irish-American president met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who declared the UK's relationship with the US was "in great shape". Biden also greeted local political leaders ahead of his speech. (Image: AFP)](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2023/04/8-biden-visit-belfast.jpg "The Irish-American president met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who declared the UK's relationship with the US was "in great shape". Biden also greeted local political leaders ahead of his speech. (Image: AFP)")
![He said on April 11 that the priority for his trip -- which includes three days in his ancestral homeland, the Republic of Ireland -- was "to keep the peace" in Northern Ireland. (Image: Reuters)](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2023/04/2-biden-visit-belfast.jpg "He said on April 11 that the priority for his trip -- which includes three days in his ancestral homeland, the Republic of Ireland -- was "to keep the peace" in Northern Ireland. (Image: Reuters)")
