1.   David Ervine, whose small loyalist party is closely linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force, said he was encouraged by what the British and Irish prime ministers said.

2.   Even if the Ulster Unionists and two loyalist parties enter the talks, two other unionist parties refuse to meet with Sinn Fein under any circumstances.

3.   It is one of two loyalist parties engaged in the peace talks with six other parties, including Sinn Fein, the political arm of the Irish Republican Army.

4.   Leaders of the loyalist parties suggest they might walk out of the talks unless concessions are granted to loyalist prisoners.

5.   That statement led many observers to conclude there is no alternative but to expel Sinn Fein, given the expulsion last month of the loyalist party.

6.   The other main loyalist party, the Progressive Unionists, will meet Sunday to decide whether they will return to the talks.

7.   Both loyalist parties approved, but two other harder-line Protestant parties voted against.

8.   Sinn Fein is barred because of the resumed IRA violence, but the loyalist paramilitary parties are allowed to take part.

9.   The loyalist parties played down speculation that a bomb attack in Dublin, the Irish capital, was inevitable after the IRA strikes on the British capital.

10.   The other loyalist party, linked with the outlawed Ulster Volunteer Force, refused to come.