And Frankie Gallagher of the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG) urged loyalists to vote for the mainstream unionist parties.

He also claimed independent unionists who oppose the Rev Ian Paisley and Sir Reg Empey want to see Sinn Fein secure the First Minister post.

The east Belfast man believes many such candidates want to see Sinn Fein top the poll so the Assembly will collapse because the DUP will refuse to work under republicans.

Mr Gallagher was speaking after it emerged consultations between the UDA leadership, its members and the UPRG on the future direction of the paramilitary organisation are still ongoing.

As part of the talks, UDA members have been advised that the best way of promoting the aims of loyalism is through democracy.

But the UPRG believes that if political stability is created in Northern Ireland, it could create an environment where violence and weapons can be a thing of the past.

Said Mr Gallagher: "Loyalists must learn how to make the ballot-box work because weaponry is no longer a viable option. We must learn to utilise the ballot-box to maximum effect because dividing unionism is not the way to do that, as some would have us believe."

The senior UPRG man also pleaded with unionists opposed to the DUP sharing power with Sinn Fein to debate the peace process with him.

Added the east Belfast loyalist: "I am more than willing to meet with people from a unionist background who don't want the DUP to share power with Sinn Fein.

"We have to have political stability if we are to complete the conflict transformation process.

"I would meet these people anywhere to debate this issue."