The council unanimously adopted Resolution 1844, which calls for an assets freeze and a foreign travel ban on any Somali who acts against the peace process, violates an arms embargo or hinders delivery of humanitarian aid.

An ad hoc committee of the council will be tasked with establishing a list of people to be sanctioned.

"The prime goal of this is to provide a framework to stem the flow of arms into Somalia, which is causing such mayhem there" said Britain's Ambassador John Sawers.

The resolution, which was drawn up by Britain, says it targets all those who are "engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Somalia."

It is also aimed at people or organizations deemed to have "acted in violation of the general and complete arms embargo" or seen as "obstructing the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, or access to" such aid.

Somalia has lacked an effective government since the 1991 ouster of president Mohamed Siad Barre touched off a bloody civil war that has defied numerous attempts to restore stability.

Sawers said of the resolution: "No-one pretends it's sufficient to resolve the problems of Somalia, but it is an important weapon in our armory to be able to take sanctions against the spoilers in Somalia.

"It provides a framework to impose sanctions on those who oppose progress."

The resolution reaffirms a general embargo on arms sales to Somalia in place since 1992, but which is constantly broken.

Ethiopian troops are currently deployed in the country to support the Somali leadership caught in a bloody struggle against Islamist rebels who launch almost daily attacks on the capital Mogadishu.

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