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Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been awarded an honorary degree from Queen's University in Belfast.

She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) for her "exceptional public service in the US and globally, and for her contribution to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland".

Mrs Clinton gave a speech at the special ceremony in her honour to an audience of around 800 people at the Whitla Hall.

The audience included Northern Ireland's former first minister Peter Robinson, Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O'Neill, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Alliance leader Naomi Long.

Mrs Clinton received a round of applause as she told the audience she had thought Brexit was a bad idea at the start, and an even worse idea now.

"But Brexit appears to be happening," she said, urging that it should not be allowed to "undermine the peace and prosperity that has been so dearly won here".

"Peace is fragile," she warned. "Peace not paralysis, you deserve that better future, you always have.

"I will pray and trust that it comes to pass.

"I and many of us in the United States will never stop standing with you, and cheering you on this journey."

A small number of protesters, including People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll, gathered outside the university's grounds. Some of the protesters were carrying placards reading, "no honours for war criminals".

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