Former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown is to head a review of parading in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain today said that Mr Ashdown would bring great 'expertise and credibility' to the job.
Lord Ashdown was previously the international High Representative for Bosnia and once served as a Royal Marines officer in Northern Ireland.
'Lord Ashdown brings a huge amount of experience in conflict resolution with him and is highly regarded both nationally and internationally,' Mr Hain said.
The review of parades - such as the annual loyalist Orange Order parade at Drumcree which have in the past been a flashpoint for trouble - was announced earlier this year.
Its remit is to make recommendations on how parading can be taken forward in a way 'consistent with the shared future objectives of respect, tolerance, responsible citizenship and promoting equality of opportunity and human rights'.
Mr Ashdown said: 'I know the work will be challenging and there are no simple answers to what are fundamentally very difficult problems, but I am looking forward to the challenge and to the debate and to contributing to what must be, if it is to succeed, a locally-grown solution to this issue.'
The review will begin next month and is expected to deliver its final recommendations early next year.
