This is one of the opening plays in a background effort to create a mediation process between the rival loyalist sides.

The 'inner council' leadership with its political advisers met on Thursday and agreed the position on Shoukri and McClean.

They and some of their associates have been living within the south east Antrim "brigade" area since the UDA forced them out of north Belfast.

It is not yet clear whether representatives of the so-called inner council would be prepared to meet with Gary Fisher and Tommy Kirkham - the paramilitary "brigadier" and political adviser they expelled in March.

The power struggle within the paramilitary organisation led to a street confrontation between rival UDA gangs last weekend, during which a police officer was shot in the back.

Loyalists linked to the inner council claim to know the identity of the gunman.

The UDA brigadier Jackie McDonald was only yards away from the officer when he was shot.

Since then, there have been the first steps in a mediation process, including an offer from south east Antrim to begin a period of "non aggression", which would be reviewed on a weekly basis.

Names of possible mediators have also been discussed.

What happens next depends on the position the breakaway south east Antrim faction takes on Shoukri and McClean.

slnews@belfasttelegraph.co.uk