UUP Wins Mayorship With The Help Of The SDLP

Mr Rodgers, a councillor for the Victoria Ward, was previously the city's civic head in 2001. He succeeds the SDLP's Pat McCarthy in the post.

He pledged to do what was best for the city and its citizens - regardless of religion or race - during his term of office.

"I want to assure every member of this council that I will be an impartial lord mayor," he said.

"I will do what's best for the council and also for this great city of ours, regardless of the person's religion, colour, class and creed. It is vitally important we carry on that work that's been done for many years."

There had been speculation that a Sinn Fein councillor would become the party's second lord mayor of the city.

Although it is the largest party it does not have a majority and needed the support of other parties to get their candidate, Tierna Cunningham, elected.

However, the SDLP gave their support to Mr Rodgers at Monday's council meeting.

The SDLP's Bernie Kelly was elected deputy mayor after receiving support from the UUP and some DUP backing.

Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey, now an assembly member, was the party's first lord mayor in the history of the city in 2002.

The first lord mayor of Belfast was Daniel Dixon, who was elected in 1892.