The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose punishing sanctions on North Korea for its claimed nuclear test, declaring that its action posed "a clear threat to international peace and security."

The vote came after the United States, Britain and France overcame last-minute differences with Russia and China.

The resolution demands North Korea eliminate all its nuclear weapons but expressly rules out military action against the country, a demand by the Russians and Chinese.

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The United States also eliminated a complete ban on the sale of conventional weapons; instead, the resolution limits the embargo to major hardware such as tanks, warships, combat aircraft and missiles.

President George W. Bush on Saturday called the new Security Council resolution on North Korea swift and tough, and said it showed the world's unity against Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

Bush told reporters that the message from the resolution was that "The world is united in our opposition to its nuclear weapons plans."