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Top N. Ireland Minister Will Step Down

Paisley played key role in power-sharing, peace agreements

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2008 5:00 PM CST

(Newser) – Northern Ireland’s influential first minister, Ian Paisley, will step down in May, Reuters reports. The Protestant evangelist, 81, helped soothe religious strife in the province when he agreed to share power with Catholics last year after decades of fueling the conflict, the AP reports. "I've achieved my aims," Paisley said today. "Now it's time to hand over to others."

Paisley was “a giant figure in the history of these islands,” said Irish PM Bertie Ahern. But opposition to the power-sharing agreement has been growing within the Democratic Unionist Party, which he founded and led for nearly 40 years. His son has been entangled in a scandal involving ties to a real estate developer, but the senior Paisley denied that had anything to do with his decision.

First Minister for Northern Ireland and DUP Leader Ian Paisley announcing during a TV interview in Stormont Castle, Belfast, Northern Ireland,that he will be standing down as First Minister.  An era in Northern Ireland politics ended Tuesday as Ian Paisley, the head of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government, announced he...
First Minister for Northern Ireland and DUP Leader Ian Paisley announcing during a TV interview in Stormont Castle, Belfast, Northern Ireland,that he will be standing down as First Minister. An era in...   (Associated Press)
Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, leaves the Northern Ireland Electoral office, Belfast, Northern Ireland, in this Feb. 12, 2007 file photo.  Paisley, 81, the Protestant evangelist who leads Northern Ireland's power-sharing administration, said today he is quitting as the leader of his Democratic Unionist Party and the...
Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, leaves the Northern Ireland Electoral office, Belfast, Northern Ireland, in this Feb. 12, 2007 file photo. Paisley, 81, the Protestant evangelist...   (Associated Press)
Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley speaks to reporters outside Stormont Castle buildings, Belfast, Northern Ireland, in this June 30, 1999 file photo. Paisley, 81, the Protestant evangelist who leads Northern Ireland's power-sharing administration, said today he is quitting as the leader of his Democratic Unionist Party.  (AP Photo/Peter...
Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley speaks to reporters outside Stormont Castle buildings, Belfast, Northern Ireland, in this June 30, 1999 file photo. Paisley, 81, the Protestant...   (Associated Press)
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