Petrol bombs, stones, bottles and other missiles were hurled at police during disturbances at Obin Street, in Portadown, Co Armagh, early yesterday morning.

Thirteen officers suffered injuries, with four needing hospital treatment, in violence that police said was largely nationalist inspired. Two men were arrested and a 26-year-old charged with riotous behaviour.

There were also clashes in north and south west Belfast, with rioting in the New Lodge Road and Broadway areas, during which police officers came under sustained attack. In the New Lodge riot, one policeman received leg injuries during disturbances involving 50 people.

In Co Antrim, an Orange hall in Rasharkin was attacked by arsonists shortly before 4am. There was scorch damage to the outside of the building and paint was thrown at the premises.

The violence came as organisers of the 12 July Orange Order demonstrations said they hoped the turnout for parades would top the 500,000 estimated last year. Orangemen from Australia, the US and Canada joined others from lodges across Ireland and Scotland.

In recent years the Orange Order has tried to change the image of the event, making it a festival that will attract tourists. One of the leading members of the Orange Order had earlier appealed to what he called 'the blue bag brigade' not to spoil the event for the huge crowds by over-indulging in alcohol.

Speaking at the main demonstration in Belfast, the grandmaster of the Orange Lodge of Ireland issued a call for unionist unity to maximise their influence. Drew Nelson said disunity between the DUP and the Ulster Unionists was lowering morale and creating the danger of handing seats to nationalists in forthcoming elections.

Northern Ireland's First Minister, DUP leader Peter Robinson, has indicated that he would like to build bridges with the UUP and form a united front for the next Westminster elections. But UUP leader Sir Reg Empey has poured scorn on the idea of an electoral alliance.

Opponents of powersharing used the 12 July demonstrations yesterday to criticise the DUP for being in government with Sinn Fein, distributing thousands of leaflets criticising Robinson at a variety of parades.

Grandmaster Robert Saulters, the leader of the Orange Order, launched an attack on Sinn Fein, saying he was sickened to see it in government.

Addressing Orangemen in Dromara, Co Down, he said: 'It is sickening to us, following such dastardly attacks on our people for 35 years, to see the commanders of that enemy sitting in government today acting as politicians who care for the peaceful existence of the people.'

About this articleClose This article appeared in the Observer on Sunday July 13 2008 on p2 of the News section. It was last updated at 00:00 on July 13 2008.

Let's hope to god that they never achieve this so-called Ireland of Equals.

The Orange Order claiming their right to walk traditional routes is another matter. Also parading is one of the main attractions of Orangeism. If they can curb that,they hope it will clip the O.Os wings and that folk will drift away from it.

Something like what Maggie Thatcher did with the unions. Whats the point of being in it was the thoughts of many people.

But I think they'll find the O.O. is a 'different kettle of fish'