The CBI has backed the lunchtime anti-sectarian rally being organised by Belfast City Council on Friday 2 August.

Following a meeting of the CBI Northern Ireland Business Committee the Director, Nigel Smyth said the business community had been horrified by recent incidents.

"Our members have been appalled at recent events on the streets of Belfast. Street Violence, blatant sectarianism and the recent murder of Gerard Lawlor are to be utterly condemned," said Mr Smyth. "We support the anti-sectarian motion put forward by Belfast City Council and are encouraging our members to facilitate support for the lunchtime rally on Friday."

"Everyone must have the right to live and work free from intimidation and violence. All of us have a responsibility through our words and actions to do what we can do to create a more tolerant and respectful society. We must create pride in our community and we must rid our streets of the hatred and abuse that parts of society continue to embrace. We must support people in these areas that are trying in difficult circumstances to bring about normality."

Mr Smyth concluded: "Our political leaders must create confidence in the future and seek to offer a stable and attractive environment for investment in order to deliver greater prosperity and opportunity. We are competing in a global environment where investment and tourists are highly mobile. We must also retain and attract back many of our brightest young people. The entire community must realise that these unacceptable activities are putting Belfast's and Northern Ireland's future prosperity at risk."

The rally is to take place outside Belfast City Hall on Friday August 2 at 1pm.

(SP)