Loyalists have attacked police in east Belfast on a fourth consecutive night of violence linked to the flag dispute.
Riot squad officers separated a mob of loyalist youths gathered at Castlereagh Street from a group of nationalists from the Catholic Short Strand district.
Fireworks and other missiles were hurled at police lines during the disorder that broke out at about 9pm, although it has not been on the same scale as the trouble over three previous nights, culminating in shots being fired at police officers on Saturday evening.
A car was also set alight after being hijacked in nearby Templemore Avenue as riot squad officers continued to maintain a heavy presence in the area. Youths in hooded track suit tops and scarves over their faces were also shining laser pens into the faces of visored PSNI riot squad officers as well as the police helicopter hovering above, which was used on Saturday to identify a gunman in nearby Newtownards Road.
The latest violence flared up after a series of roadblock protests were staged across loyalist areas of Belfast on Sunday with further demonstrations planned for the rest of the coming week.
The chief constable of the police service of Northern Ireland pledged on Sunday evening to "deal firmly" with loyalists rioting over Belfast city council's decision to end its policy of flying the union flag 365 days a year.
Since the protests began, 52 PSNI officers have been injured in violent clashes with loyalists, with most of the trouble concentrated in east Belfast.
"I want to commend the tireless courage of my officers at this very difficult time," Chief Constable Matt Baggott said.
"You may be assured there will be sufficient resources in the event of more disorder for however long is necessary.
"The police service will continue to do everything possible to maintain law and order and we will deal firmly with outbreaks of violence."
In an unusual move, a second special sitting of Belfast magistrates court was opened at the Royal Courts of Justice in the city centre on Sunday afternoon to process more people accused of rioting and other related offences since the latest upsurge of trouble began on Thursday.
