IMC report to focus on dissident republicans

The Independent Monitoring Commission will publish its latest assessment of paramiltary activity later.

The report covers the period from 1 September last year to the end of February 2010.

The main focus of it will be dissident republican activity.

It is expected to reflect recent police warnings that the threat remains severe, and that dissidents have improved their bomb-making abilities.

In its last report, the IMC said some former members of the Provisional IRA were assisting dissident groups by providing technical expertise.

Dissidents have been responsible for a number of attacks in Northern Ireland this year, including bombs at Newtownhamilton police station and Palace Barracks in Holywood.