The U.N. Security Council has voted unanimously to freeze the assets of former Liberian president and rebel leader Charles Taylor.
The U.S.-drafted resolution requires all 191 U.N. member states to track down and freeze funds, financial assets, and economic resources owned or controlled by Mr. Taylor, his wife and son, and other top associates.
Charles Taylor is accused of stealing and diverting millions of dollars from Liberia's government coffers. His assets are believed to be spread throughout a number of states.
A recent U.N. report said Mr. Taylor continues to divert Liberian government resources, even from exile. Mr. Taylor has been living in Nigeria since last August, when he stepped down shortly after rebel forces entered the Liberian capital, Monrovia.
His resignation came as a result of intense international pressure led by the United States. It paved the way for a peace deal and the end of nearly 14 years of almost non-stop civil war.
Charles Taylor has also been indicted by a U.N.-backed special war crimes court in Sierra Leone for allegedly backing rebels in exchange for diamonds during that nation's decade-long civil war.
Informtation for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.