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LONDON, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Talks to establish a new power-sharing coalition in Northern Ireland will reach a critical stage over the weekend as the 4:00 p.m. deadline on Monday gets closer.
Leading politicians resumed discussions Friday just 24 hours after the funeral of former deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.
It was McGuinness's resignation that led to the collapse of the devolved assembly, sparking a snap election.
McGuinness's Sinn Fein party has been embroiled in a fall-out with the majority party in Northern Ireland, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and its leader former First Minister Arlene Foster.
Under power-sharing arrangements, an assembly can only be formed if the DUP and Sinn Fein agree to provide a leader and deputy leader for the executive body.
Foster's attendance at McGuinness's funeral in Londonderry raised hopes of a thaw in a relationship between the two parties.
Sinn Fein has insisted it will not share power with Foster until a public inquiry into a controversial renewable heating scheme is concluded.
In a media briefing in Belfast Friday, Sinn Fein negotiator Conor Murphy said his party's position towards the DUP leader had not changed.
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire, however, said Friday the discussions had been constructive.
"We're now entering the final few days available to the political parties here in Northern Ireland to form an executive. I've had constructive discussions over the last two and a bit weeks with the Irish government and with political parties," he said.
"There are a number of issues where I see common ground and where I firmly believe that resolution can be achieved," added Brokenshire.
Brokenshire said that there are "other issues that still remain to be resolved in order for an executive to be formed on Monday".
"I'll be working intensively in the coming days to achieve that positive outcome, to see inclusive devolved government restored in Northern Ireland," he said.
Brokenshire may order another snap election if a deal is not agreed by the 4: 00 p.m. deadline on Monday. Enditem
