Mr Hartley, who has visited the Somme in northern France where around 50,000 Irish soldiers from both sides of the border died during World War One, said the wreath laying was "appropriate" for him as the mayor of Belfast.

And he said the council must lead the way in creating an act of remembrance to honour all those who had died as a result of war and conflict.

Mr Hartley also said the wreath laying at the Cenotaph on July 1 would consolidate and build upon initiatives taken by Alex Maskey when he was Mayor and Joe O'Donnell as Deputy Mayor, whom he said had reached out to the unionist and Protestant people of Belfast.

"I believe this level of direct participation to mark the Somme anniversary is appropriate for me as mayor of Belfast," he said. " It clearly shows that republicans are committed to engaging with the unionist and Protestant people and that we are prepared to meet them on common ground no matter how difficult it is for us as republicans to do so.

"This is what making peace is all about. I am keen to show the continued commitment that republicans in this city have to building bridges into the unionist and Protestant community."