New York - The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution demanding that governments put in place measures to fight sexual violence in conflicts, particularly rape as a war tactic.

The 15-nation council's decision culminated efforts by the UN to fight sexual violence documented in many conflicts, from the Balkans to civil wars in Africa.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who presided over the council session at UN headquarters in New York, said that "little attention" had been paid by the international community to sexual violence in wars for decades.

The resolution said sexual violence "used or commissioned as a tactic of war" targeting women and girls has exacerbated situations in armed conflict and prevents conflict resolution.

It demanded that governments take measures to protect civilians, women and children through the implementation of military disciplinary measures and training of troops in the "categorical prohibition of all forms of sexual violence against civilians." (dpa)