UN security council pass nuclear disarmament resolution

The United Nations security council has passed a resolution calling for states with nuclear weapons to disarm.

The historic meeting, chaired for the first time by US president Barack Obama called for global action to end nuclear proliferation.

The resolution is a huge step forward in Mr Obama's plans for the removal of all the world's nuclear weapons.

The fact permanent member states Russia and the United States have both signed up to the resolution is significant in heralding a new attitude to nuclear weapons, with both nations committing themselves to cutting their arsenals.

During the meeting, Gordon Brown also offered to cut the number of Britain's Trident nuclear submarines being re-commissioned from four to three, subject to progress in negotiations.

'We should be prepared to act now,' he declared.

Addressing the council as the meeting began, Mr Obama the UN would introduce a broad framework to reduce the number of nuclear weapons around the world.

He said all nations had the right to peaceful nuclear energy, but those with nuclear weapons should get rid of them, while those without them should forsake them.

North Korea and Iran have continually been condemned by the international community for apparently harbouring desires for nuclear weapons.

Mr Obama never mentioned individual nations in his address, instead choosing to repeat the point that nuclear disarmament was a global problem and a global target.

'We harbour no illusion of the difficulties of bringing about a world without nuclear weapons,' he admitted.

'There will be setbacks and criticism but there will be days like today that tell a different story.'

UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon also called on nations to 'seize the moment'.

He said the need for action was clear with thousand of nuclear weapons still on a hair trigger.

Mr Ban also warned delegates of the need to combat the continuing dangers of nuclear terrorism and global catastrophe.

Nuclear proliferation has become one the main objectives of Mr Obama's administration with the president stating early into his time in office of his desire for a world without nuclear weapons.