Belfast - US President Joe Biden has arrived in Belfast to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday peace agreement, which brought an end to the decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland known as the 'troubles.' The four-day visit is part of his trip to the island of Ireland, where he will also explore his Irish roots and meet with relatives.

The significance of the occasion is reflected in the extensive security measures put in place in Belfast. However, the visit has been marred by the fact that Northern Ireland's power-sharing government is not functioning. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), one of the largest parties in Stormont, withdrew from the government last year in protest against post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland.

Despite this setback, Biden has praised the efforts of politicians who secured peace in 1998, and his visit underscores the United States' commitment to preserving peace and promoting prosperity. Biden's spokesperson has emphasized that the President is "more than comfortable making this trip," despite the recent increase in terrorist activity by dissident Irish republicans.

The violence that accompanied an illegal parade by dissident republicans in Derry City earlier this week underscores the ongoing challenges facing Northern Ireland. Four suspected pipe bombs were discovered in the City Cemetery in Derry the next day, which police believe were intended for use in a planned attack on officers.

Overall, Biden's visit to Belfast provides a timely reminder of the progress made since the signing of the Good Friday agreement, as well as the continued work that needs to be done to maintain peace and stability in Northern Ireland.

On Monday, the 80-year-old US President dropped another hint that he may run for re-election in 2024, saying he plans to run again but is not yet prepared to announce it. He visited Belfast, Northern Ireland, and stayed at a city center hotel, where he was expected to give a speech at the new Ulster University campus. The President was expected to highlight the US's willingness to help preserve the peace and prosperity gained since the Good Friday agreement, and discuss how the US administration can support Northern Ireland's economy. He was also expected to meet with the leaders of Stormont's five main political parties.

There was a large police presence in the center of Belfast, with police officers patrolling at barricades close to the Grand Central Hotel, but pedestrians could pass through and businesses in the area were operating as usual. Biden's visit was seen as a special moment that "cements our close bonds of friendship," according to Michelle O'Neill, the vice-president of Sinn Féin.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said Biden's visit could have a positive effect on restoring power-sharing at Stormont but warned against pressuring British unionists. Meanwhile, former Irish ambassador to the US Daniel Mulhall said Biden would have preferred to have spoken to politicians at a functioning Stormont assembly, but said the message of the president's visit to Northern Ireland was essentially that America was here to help.

After his visit to Northern Ireland, Biden traveled to the Republic of Ireland for three days of events in counties Louth and Mayo, where he has relatives, as well as Dublin. He regularly speaks of his Irish heritage and had promised to visit the country during his presidency.