The UDA is expected to respond speedily and positively to a decision by the Northern Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, to again officially recognise the validity of the loyalist paramilitary group's ceasefire.
The UDA is today due to issue an interim response to Mr Murphy's announcement accepting that the UDA should no longer be categorised as in breach of its ceasefire, according to loyalist sources.
A further more detailed positive response stating that the group is intent on pursuing a peaceful agenda is expected shortly, possibly tomorrow on Remembrance Sunday, well-placed sources added. However, there is no imminent expectation of loyalist decommissioning .
The UDA first called its ceasefire 10 years ago, but that cessation was no longer judged as valid three years ago by the Northern secretary at the time, Dr John Reid, such was the level of UDA killings, violence and criminality at that period.
Mr Murphy took his decision to "despecify" the UDA and the Ulster Freedom Fighters - a cover name for the UDA - after earlier this month meeting the Ulster Political Research Group, the loyalist body that offers political analysis to the UDA.
On that delegation were three of the UDA's six so-called brigadiers, Mr Andre Shoukri, Mr Billy McFarlane, and Mr Jackie McDonald who attended the inauguration of the President, Mrs McAleese, in Dublin on Thursday.
The presence of Mr McDonald in Dublin Castle reflects the involvement of Mrs McAleese and her husband, Martin, in developing contacts with loyalists, and how this has been encouraged by the Government. Both governments believe that any possible deal to restore devolution should also involve the loyalists.
Mr Murphy stressed that the police would continue to tackle any UDA paramilitary activity. "I will continue to judge them, not just by their words but by their deeds. The onus is now on the UDA/UFF to continue to show its good faith," he said.
