BELFAST, Northern Ireland, May 08, SPA -- Northern Ireland's major Protestant and Catholic parties joined together Tuesday to form a power-sharing government, marking a "new era of politics" and an end to three decades of sectarian conflict in the British province. Protestant Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley, 80, was sworn in as the Northern Ireland assembly's first minister and key player Martin McGuinness, 56, of Sinn Fein will take on the role of deputy first minister, the Associated Press reported. The two men bridged the sectarian divide and took oaths of office in front of a quiet assembly room. Long the guiding hands over the peace process, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern attended the swearing-in ceremony at Stormont, the Northern Ireland assembly, near Belfast. "It is a special day because we're making a new beginning," Paisley said. "I believe we're starting on a road which will bring us back to peace and to prosperity." Paisley's deputy McGuinness, said he is "increasingly confident" that the new government will work, saying it was a "good day."--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/447845