U.N. council condemns North Korea nuclear test

By Louis Charbonneau

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council unanimously condemned North Korea's latest nuclear test on Monday, saying it was a "clear violation" of a previous resolution passed in 2006 after Pyongyang's first atomic test.

After an emergency meeting lasting under one hour, the council issued a nonbinding statement expressing strong opposition and said it would "start work immediately on a Security Council resolution on this matter."

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice called the nuclear test "a grave violation of international law" and said Washington would seek a "strong resolution with strong measures." She declined to predict whether the 15-member council would impose further sanctions on Pyongyang, but said work was to begin on the resolution on Tuesday.

Britain, France, and Japan are expected to push for new sanctions. But Russia and China are seen as more reluctant although they did agree to punitive actions after the 2006 test in resolution 1718.

Earlier on Monday, China, the North's neighbour and long-time benefactor, said it was "resolutely opposed" to the test.

Russia called the North Korean nuclear test a threat to regional stability, and at the United Nations Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters it was "very serious and needs to have a strong response."

U.S. President Barack Obama strongly condemned Pyongyang's action and called for a strong international response.

"North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs pose a grave threat to the peace and security of the world, and I strongly condemn their reckless action," Obama said at the White House. "The United States and the international community must take action in response."