Olympic torch arrives in N. Ireland

BELFAST (AP) ― The Olympic flame flew first class Saturday to Northern Ireland for a five-day tour that includes a visit to the Republic of Ireland capital, Dublin, and features heightened security to ensure that Irish Republican Army factions don’t spoil the celebrations.

The Protestant and Catholic leaders of Northern Ireland’s unity government welcomed Olympic officials as the flame landed at Belfast City Airport. The flame spent its first two weeks on British soil traveling through England and Wales, then much of Saturday on the Isle of Man midway between Britain and Ireland.

Olympic officials had to receive special permission to carry a live fire on board an aircraft.

Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games, carried one of the lanterns to First Minister Peter Robinson, the British Protestant who leads the Northern Ireland government, and his Irish Catholic colleague, Deputy Minister Martin McGuinness.