Former US President Bill Clinton and Senator George Mitchell are both to be awarded the Freedom of Belfast for their contributions towards the Northern Ireland peace process.
The decision to bestow this honour on both men was decided yesterday by members of Belfast City Council, inspired by a request put forward from Cllr Tim Attwood.
A spokesperson for the Council said:
“Both men are to be recognised for their services to peace in Northern Ireland.
“A special council meeting will be called at a later date to officially confer the honour.
“Mr Clinton and Senator Mitchell will be the 83rd and 84th recipients of the Freedom of the City of Belfast.
“They follow in the footsteps of, most recently, Sir Kenneth Branagh, and Michael Longley, Van Morrison and Dame Mary Peters.”
It is hoped that Mr Clinton and Mr Mitchell will visit the city in the very near future to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement which was signed on April 10th, 1998.
