A new peace deal which would see Northern Ireland's home rule government restored and the Irish Republican Army (IRA) disarm could be struck soon, Britain's chief minister in the province said on Monday. "Fundamental political change is within our grasp. The finishing line is within sight, but this is an unusual race -- unless everyone wins, there are no winners at all," Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy said. He was speaking as protracted behind-the-scenes negotiations continued between Britain, Ireland and local parties in an effort to forge agreement between rival politicians. "I would hope we are talking about weeks rather than months," said Murphy, in remarks made to British and Irish parliamentarians in Wales and released by his office in Belfast. A summit ended without agreement last month, despite London and Dublin saying they believed they had solved one sticking point that has dogged the peace process for a decade -- the refusal of the IRA to fully disarm.
