US President Biden pledged to help “keep the peace” as he arrived in Belfast as part of the Good Friday Agreement anniversary celebrations amidst heightened tensions.

He was greeted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he arrived, they shook hands and could be seen exchanging remarks on the tarmac after he descended the stairs from Air Force one.

He departed from Maryland around 3.25pm UK time and when asked about what he hoped to achieve on the visit, he replied: “Make sure the Irish accords and the Windsor agreement stay in place, keep the peace. That’s the main thing.”

NEW: PM @RishiSunak has met @JoeBiden on the runway at Belfast International Airport as the pair shake hands. pic.twitter.com/eK5yjDq8Xi

— Kieran Bradley (@MrKieranBradley) April 11, 2023

Before his arrival, Mr Biden tweeted: “25 years ago, Northern Ireland’s leaders chose peace.

“The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement ended decades of violence and brought stability.

I look forward to marking the anniversary in Belfast, underscoring the US commitment to preserving peace and encouraging prosperity.”

Biden’s arrival in the province comes amid flared tensions between the Protestant and Catholic communities which has been crystallised by violence in Londonderry in recent days.

Despite this, a White House spokesperson said that the President is “more than comfortable” travelling to Northern Ireland despite the growing unrest in the country.

Petrol bombs were thrown at the police and four pipe-bombs were found at the Londonderry City Cemetery by the police as part of a security operation ahead of Biden’s visit.

Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton called the find a “sinister and worrying” development.

“The actions of those responsible are reprehensible and show a complete disregard and utter contempt for the community,” he said.

The tensions come after the unionist DUP announced that it would not support Rishi Sunak’s revised Brexit deal with the EU – intended to smooth over issues that the UK leaving the bloc has caused in regards to Northern Ireland.

Biden’s visit also comes days after confirming that he plans to run for re-election in 2024.

After a speech at Ulster University on Wednesday, he will then go to the Republic of Ireland where he will address a joint session of the Irish parliament, meet the Irish President Micheal D Higgins and reconnect with his Irish relatives in County Mayo.

(Source: LBC)

(Image: Joe Binden, courtesy of Gage Skidmore)