Northern Ireland’s DUP backs deal to restore devolved government

BELFAST (Reuters) – Northern Ireland’s largest pro-British party, the Democratic Unionist Party, said it believed the draft deal published by the British and Irish governments on Thursday provided a basis upon which the regional assembly can be re-established.

The two governments earlier urged all parties to back the draft deal to restore devolved government for the first time in three years or risk fresh elections in the British-run region if Monday’s deadline for agreement passes.

“Our party officers, assembly and parliamentary representatives considered the paper on Thursday. On balance we believe there is a basis upon which the Assembly and Executive can re-established in a fair and balanced way,” DUP leader Arlene Foster said in a statement.

(Reporting by Ian Graham, writing by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Marguerita Choy)