UN Security Council (file photo)

The U.N. Security Council has renewed trade sanctions on Liberian timber and diamonds, and extended an arms embargo in the West African nation.

The council unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday that extends bans on Liberian exports of wood and diamonds for six months and the arms embargo for another year.

The resolution also praised Liberia's recent elections, saying they were an important step towards lasting peace in the war-torn nation.

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

The Security Council called on new President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to reform the nation's existing forestry and logging operations and consider independent, outside advice on managing its diamond resources.

The United Nations had originally imposed the sanctions in 2001 and 2003 on the government of former Liberian President Charles Taylor. It was believed Mr. Taylor was supplying weapons to rebels in neighboring Sierra Leone, where he is wanted on war crimes charges.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.