Northern Ireland first minister David Trimble has called on his party to support him in securing the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons.

In a letter to all 860 members of the Ulster Unionist Party council, Trimble rejects past tactics in a motion that commits the UUP to remaining in the power-sharing executive while pressing for more weapons to be handed over. However, no deadline is given for the action.

Talking to BBC Radio Ulster, he said: "There is a wide understanding in the party that in dealing with this difficult issue that we need to be careful about the precise tactics we use.

"There has also been a general understanding that the tactics we have used have produced results, even though it has taken longer than we would have wanted."

The letter comes ahead of a special meeting of the party on Saturday, when the motion will be tabled. Other measures include the rejection of amnesty for escaped criminals or terror suspects, and the defence of British symbols. A progress report will be delivered to the party council in March on these issues.