Published Friday, 22 June 2012
Armed Forces Day is on Saturday. (© Pacemaker)
It follows a City Council meeting on Thursday night.
The motion to fly the flag for six days was supported by the Alliance Party, the DUP and the Ulster Unionist Party.
Sinn Féin were disappointed by the decision.
Councillor Conor Maskey told UTV: "There's an equality assessment that's out there at the present time that says there should be less flying of flags at City Hall.
"Here we have another proposal to fly a flag that will cause deeper hurt for people that are already suffering because of the actions of the British military forces in Ireland."
However the DUP councillor Robin Newton said he does not believe there is any reason why people should be offended.
"I understand the position of republicans that they are opposed to the British presence in Northern Ireland in all its guises," Mr Newton told UTV.
"That is the position they hold and that they are entitled to hold.
"But the majority in the council voted in favour of this flag being flown and the republicans have to accept that position as being the will of the majority of people represented."
The flag will fly at City Hall from Monday to Saturday next week in accordance with a request from the Chief of the Defence Staff at the Ministry of Defence.
However the Alliance Party had suggested it should fly for one day as a compromise - but that position was defeated.
Councillor Maire Hendron said:"I am disappointed that the other parties did not support our compromise position.
"Flying this flag for one day would have been sufficient to show our respect to the armed forces, but at the same time ensuring that work towards a shared future was not threatened.
"I believe that we need to show a maturity in these issues and support measures that build community relations and not strengthen divisions in our society."
Armed Forces Day will take place on Saturday with events including a military parade through the town of Carrickfergus in Co Antrim.
Organisers said 36,000 people attended the event in the borough last year.