Northern Ireland entered a new era today as political foes banded together to try and rule in peace after 30 years of armed conflict. Without fanfare, but with hope, a coalition of Protestant and Catholic ministers took over responsibility for day-to-day running of the province from British ministers, who had shuttled in and out from London as guerrilla war raged year after year. Martin McGuinness, a Sinn Féin minister in the new Cabinet, told the BBC he was working toward the disbandment of the Irish Republican Army, which is his party’s military ally. The IRA is expected to open talks with disarmament authorities later today.