UN bans sale of Sierra Leone diamonds

The UN Security Council has voted to impose a global embargo on diamond exports from Sierra Leone.

A thriving gems-for-guns trade is fuelling a civil war in that West African country.

The resolution passed by a vote of 14-0, with Mali, the current chair of the West African group of nations, abstaining in protest at the resolution's mention of Liberia as a conduit for the diamonds.

The resolution bans all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone until its government can set up a proper certification system and regain access to diamond mining areas under rebel control.

The embargo will hold for 18 months.