Clinton arrives for Belfast talks (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)

Clinton arrives for Belfast talks

11:30am Friday 7th December 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Hillary Clinton has arrived for her eighth visit to Northern Ireland.

The US secretary of state touched down in Belfast and will meet Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers at Stormont, then attend a lunch at Titanic Belfast in the city's docklands.

This is her second visit as secretary of state. The last was in 2009 when she encouraged the devolution of policing and justice powers from London to Belfast.

It comes amid fresh violence on the streets of Belfast, with attacks on the cross-community Alliance Party, and after an explosive was discovered by police who stopped a car in Londonderry on Thursday.

Mrs Clinton was in Dublin on Thursday for a meeting with ministers from around the world as part of a European tour.

She accompanied former president Bill Clinton to Northern Ireland as first lady three times during his time in office from 1993 to 2001.

Later she will attend an Ireland Fund dinner at Titanic Belfast.

Security was heavy for the visit following recent security alerts.