Pro-Palestinian protesters have withdrawn an application to the Parades Commission for a demonstration in Belfast city centre tomorrow.

But a second march, under the umbrella of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), will proceed, despite a late application to the commission.

It is understood many members of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Trade Union Friends of Palestine, organisers of the first parade, will attend the event due to end in a rally at Belfast City Hall around 1pm.

The theme of the Northern Ireland Committee of ICTU’s parade is ‘Ceasefire Now’, |demanding peace in Gaza.

In a statement, ICTU said: “We call on the people of Northern Ireland to make their voices heard by joining our peace rally.

“The situation in Gaza is an affront to all humanity. We know that the hopes of a just and peaceful settlement are blown further away with each rocket and tank shell. We know that violence does not solve any political impasse.”

But a DUP delegation which also met the Parades Commission warned the demonstration could be hijacked by more sinister elements.

North Belfast DUP MLA Nelson McCausland, who was on the delegation, said applications for the parade had fallen short of the time specified for notification of parades.

The Commission replied, however: “Late notification of parades — from across the community in Northern Ireland — are a weekly occurrence and each is considered on its merits.”