A flypast by the British Air Force, due to take place during a soldiers' homecoming parade in Belfast on Sunday, has been cancelled.
The parade plans have caused controversy, with Sinn Féin supporters and dissident republican factions due to stage protest demonstrations.
However, this afternoon Sinn Féin confirmed it is rerouting its demonstration to avoid potential flashpoint areas in the city.
Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly admitted some radical change was required to de-escalate tension.
He also stressed that Sinn Féin did not want its protest hijacked by dissident groups, loyalist elements or English fascists.
With thousands of people expected on the streets in support of the march, the PSNI is mounting a massive security operation.
In a further attempt to decrease the potential for trouble, Northern Ireland General Officer Commanding Major General Chris Brown said none of the troops who served in Afghanistan and Iraq would be carrying weapons.
In a statement he said the British Army had taken a number of measures to ensure that the Thanksgiving Parade does not increase the potential for friction.
These included the fact that all service personnel on the parade will be unarmed and the musical repertoire will reflect the tri-service nature of this event, including regimental tunes, as well as the fact that it is happening on a Sunday.
As a further measure he said he had decided there would be no flypast. He said this further underpinned their appreciation of the sensitivities surrounding this element of the parade.
The Parades Commission has welcomed the steps taken by both sides to lower tension in advance of the parade.
It has accepted the new march route and protest location submitted by Sinn Féin.
The commission chairman Roger Poole said the developments represented a sign of hope for Belfast and for all who have worked for a peaceful outcome.
He appealed to all those who come into the city centre on Sunday to act peacefully and in a responsible manner.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor Dr Noel Treanor has also welcomed the modifications.
