N. Ireland Violence Ahead Of March

Catholics threw gasoline bombs at police during disturbances meant to stir tensions ahead of a traditionally divisive Protestant parade, officials said Friday.

Rioters threw 14 of the explosives at police Thursday night in various parts of Londonderry, the province's second largest city. No one was hurt, but one man was arrested.

Members of the Apprentice Boys, a Protestant order, are due to march around Londonderry's stone walls on Aug. 14 to commemorate the 1689 survival of a Protestant garrison besieged by Catholic forces.

The province's Parades Commission has yet to decide whether to approve the march, which has been a catalyst for violence in the past.

Acting Chief Inspector Des Austin urged calm. "I would appeal to all local community representatives to use whatever influence they have in the area to try and dampen this tension that appears to be rising at this particular time in the run-up to the Apprentice Boys parade," he said.