THE UN Security Council debated on Thursday a British proposal to ban trade in diamonds mined from rebel-held areas of Sierra Leone. Diamonds are the major source of revenue for the Revolutionary United Front rebels, who in May took 500 UN peacekeepers hostage. The proposed resolution says that “all states shall take the necessary measures to prohibit the direct or indirect import of all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone to their territory.” The proposal will exempt diamonds if their origin is certified by the government in Freetown, and calls on the diamond industry to cooperate with the ban. Sierra Leone’s main diamond-producing areas are in regions under RUF control, along the border with Liberia. The Security Council has also expressed its concern about reports that diamonds from RUF-held areas are reaching the market by passing through Liberia. The proposal is expected to be approved on Friday, but was hung up late Thursday over a French amendment to make the ban last 18 months and to review it for renewal then.