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Sinn Fein members have voted to liberalise abortion law in Northern Ireland.

Delegates backed a motion which said that women should have access to abortions through a GP-led service for a "limited gestational period".

It comes after a referendum in the Republic of Ireland repealed the eighth amendment which effectively outlawed abortion.

Members at an annual ard fheis (party conference) in Belfast decided abortion should also be available where a woman's life, health or mental health is at risk and in cases of fatal foetal abnormality, where an infant cannot survive.

Vice President Michelle O'Neill said: "Sinn Fein refuses to hide.

"It will address this issue with compassion and will show the leadership that is required."

New legislation implementing the Irish poll's overwhelming two-to-one verdict in favour of making the procedure available will be introduced in the new year, the Taoiseach has said.

It will make abortion freely available during early pregnancy and in limited circumstances later.

The referendum vote was lauded by proponents as a modernising and compassionate step for women after a fierce debate in which opponents including the Catholic church argued that the unborn baby's life was sacrosanct.

Sinn Fein is a major force in opposition in the Republic.

It is the majority voice of nationalism in Northern Ireland and hopes to make gains in the Republic's next general election.

Irish society has liberalised in recent years, with public polls in favour of divorce, same-sex marriage and access to terminations.

Yes campaigners from the Republic have turned their focus north of the border after last month's historic referendum to repeal the Irish state's restrictive constitutional position on abortion.

MEP Martina Anderson said: "The North is next."

The debate has intensified since the outcome of the referendum, with the British Government resisting renewed calls to step in and legislate in the continuing absence of a powersharing government in Belfast.

Additional reporting by Press Association.