The centre in Enniskillen in County Fermanagh cost more than £3m and includes education and community facilities and an art gallery.

Mr Clinton travelled north from Dublin and was joined at the centre by Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan.

The centre is built on the site of one of Northern Ireland's worst atrocities - the Poppy Day bombing which killed 11 people on Remembrance Sunday, 1987.

It is the last gasp of an old order and old habits die hard

Bill Clinton

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Clinton said people should never underestimate the power of peace and that recent violence in Northern Ireland should be seen in the "proper context".

"It is the last gasp of an old order and old habits die hard," he said.

Protest

As Mr Clinton arrived at the building, police forcibly removed one of those injured in the bombing from the entrance to the centre.

Protester Jim Dixon said the victims of the bombing had no role in the establishment of the centre.

He said: "Victims have had no input, but they are using the victims to get money for it."

Mr Clinton visited the Fermanagh town last year - his first visit to Northern Ireland since leaving the White House.

Following his visit to Enniskillen, he will travel to Dublin for discussions with business leaders about the financing of the Clinton Library in Arkansas.

On Thursday, he will play golf with business leaders before receiving an international achievement award for his role in the peace process.

Mr Clinton will hold a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern before his departure on Friday.