A statement read by Denmark's UN envoy Ellen Loj said the 15 member council also appealed to all Somali parties "to resume dialogue within the transitional federal institutions for the sake of the stability of the country and the safety of its people."
The Security Council endorsed all reconciliation efforts, particularly by the African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, a regional bloc that was instrumental to the formation of Somalia's transitional government.
The UN imposed Somalia’s arms embargo in 1992, a year after the country was plunged into chaos with the ousting of strongman Mohamed Siad Barre, but UN monitors say the embargo is routinely violated by Somalia’s neighbours who back various factions for their own domestic purposes.
The Security Council members also agreed to closely monitor developments in the troubled country over the coming weeks and said they expected to be thoroughly briefed by Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Fall.
Islamists consolidate power
In the capital Mogadishu, Islamists consolidated their control in the lawless region, setting up new Sharia law courts in and around the city – despite vows from the US-backed warlord alliance to resist.
"They are land grabbers and religious warriors who came together to seize power and property," said warlord Musa Sudi Yalahow. "… these aggressors are hiding behind the mask of Islam."
Months of bloody fighting as seen most of the capital come under the control of the militias but the group pulled back from the warlords’ last stronghold under pressure from clan elders not to attack their lands.
Witnesses said the Islamists moved back from Jowhar, about 90 kilometres north of Mogadishu, and that warlord fighters had taken up their former position some 10 kilometres south.
In the town, about 1,500 people rallied in support of the warlords, "We will defend ourselves if the Islamists attack," said Abdullahi Wehl Adle, chairman of the Middle Shabelle regional council.
Commenting on the warlords, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said, "we should not forget that these warlords have committed lots of atrocities over the past 15 years.