DHAKA: The US, backed by China, has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council aimed at imposing tougher sanctions on North Korea.

It comes in response to North Korea's recent nuclear test and missile launch, reports the BBC.

The measures would for the first time require UN member states to inspect all cargo to or from North Korea.

The US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, said it would be the strongest set of sanctions imposed by the Security Council in more than 20 years.

A vote is expected at the weekend.

North Korea's launch of a long-range rocket in February and a nuclear test in January were widely condemned as a flagrant violation of UN resolutions.

What are the proposed sanctions?

    UN member states would inspect all cargo to or from North Korea
  
    North Korean ships suspected of carrying illegal goods would be barred from ports worldwide
   
    An arms embargo would be widened to include supplies of small arms
  
     The supply of aviation fuel including rocket fuel to North Korea would be banned

BDST:  0855 HRS, FEB 26, 2016
RS