London - Britain's Foreign Secretary Robin Cook on Tuesday called for a United Nations resolution banning trade in diamonds from Sierra Leone rebels.
Cook, who is due to fly to Sierra Leone for a meeting on Thursday with President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, also said British marine commandos would withdraw from the West African nation on schedule next week.
"We must take action outside Sierra Leone to regulate the trade in its diamonds," Cook told parliament.
"We are exploring with partners in the Security Council our proposal for a UN resolution banning the trade in diamonds from Sierra Leone except where they are certified as legitimate by the government of Sierra Leone," he said.
Cook said Britain was also sending a team of about 180 soldiers for short-term training of Kabbah's army.- Reuters