An emergency meeting has been convened at Stormont today in the wake of recent violence in north Belfast.

The First and Deputy First Ministers are to chair the talks at Stormont Castle to discuss the impact of the rioting which flared following an Orange Order parade in Ardoyne.

In a joint OFMDFM statement, both ministers led calls for calm at the notorious flashpoint which was dogged by scenes of violence at the Twelfth for the third year in a row.

"Those involved in rioting must realise that it only results in damaging their local community," they said.

"We would appeal for calm and ask everyone to think of the consequences of their actions."

On Tuesday an orgy of violence erupted after a feeder parade passed the Ardoyne shops.

Sixteen police officers were injured, more than 50 baton rounds fired and four water cannon were deployed to quell nationalist youths hurtling petrol bombs, blast bombs and other missiles.

Martin McGuinness, who visited Ardoyne on Monday, added: "The people made it very clear to me that they did not want to see any violence in their community over the Twelfth parade.

"It is disappointing that a small number of people chose to ignore their demand and instead went about attacking the police and damaging the local community.

"There were also a number of other violent incidents in Derry, Ballymena and Armagh."

Meanwhile, residents and their civic representatives in the republican enclave pleaded for riot-hungry teens to "stay away" from the area.

"I would appeal for people not to come here," said Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly.

"The parade is over. There is no reason for people to come. Let's just move the whole thing on."

A massive clean-up operation swung into action early yesterday morning to remove at least four burned out cars, a barrage of broken bricks and a massive metal security gate which had been ripped from its hinges at Brompton Road.

Shattered glass and other masonry was also scattered across the Crumlin Road which had been badly damaged by heat from the torched vehicles.

"If we didn't have an Orange parade going through a Catholic area we wouldn't have the excuse at least for what's happened," added Mr Kelly.

"We argued with young people not to become involved in violence because it only affects the people living in this area."

Meanwhile, there was also criticism of the PSNI's handling of the situation.

Some residents said they felt the PSNI would rather police a riot in a nationalist area because they know what to expect.

Holy Cross parish priest, Fr Gary Donegan, who was on the ground on Tuesday night, said people regarded the police tactics as inflammatory.

"People have been asking why did plastic baton rounds get deployed so early," he said.

"There is criticism from the moderate people. Yes, there were bricks being thrown, but was it necessary to deploy water cannon and plastic baton rounds?

"We are trying to promote normalisation of policing and there has been criticism that the response was disproportionate."

Mary Murphy who lives in the Balholm area, just behind the Ardoyne shops, was among those keen to vent her anger.

"Nobody gives two hoots of a damn about people here," she said.

"They are away off seeing to everyone else.

"Look at what has happened here - for example Holy Cross - not one thing was done about it. And, last night they (the police) were allowed in, in their big jeeps to wreck the place.

"We get no help. It's a disgrace.

"Ligoniel, Ardoyne and the New Lodge have nothing - everywhere else has everything."

Another 68-year-old woman, who lives at Estoril Court declined to give her name for fear of reprisals, but condemned the violence.

"I am only out of hospital and to come back home to this is ridiculous," she said.

"There is no sense in it at all. It's terrible and look at the state of the area now."

While the worst trouble was in Ardoyne, there was also disorder in south and east Belfast.

Trouble also broke out in parts of Londonderry, Ballymena, Armagh, Strabane and Newry.

Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliott said it was "unfortunate" that the Twelfth celebrations were marred by a minority.