These measures were contained in a resolution adopted by the 15-nation Security Council. The resolution was passed on the same day that fighters supporting Cote d'Ivoire's internationally recognized president, Alassane Ouattara, seized Yamoussoukro, the nation's administrative capital.

"The Security Council demands an immediate end to the violence against civilians, including women, children and internally displaced persons, and urges all the Ivorian parties and stakeholders to respect the will of people and the election of Alassane Dramane Ouattara as president of Cote d'Ivoire," the resolution said.

The resolution adopted sanctions targeted at Gbagbo, his wife Simone Gbagbo, his close advisor Alcide Djedje and his two close associates. The sanctions include travel ban and asset freeze.

The Security Council imposed "targeted sanctions" on these Ivoiran individuals "who obstruct peace and reconciliation in Cote d'Ivoire, obstruct the work of UNOCI (the UN Operations in Cote d' Ivoire) and other international actors in Cote d'Ivoire and commit serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law," the resolution said.

The resolution echoed the previous UN appeals that Gbagbo must go and urged all Ivorian State institutions, including the Defense and Security Forces of Cote d'Ivoire, "to yield to the authority vested by the Ivorian people in President Alassane Dramane Ouattara."

The Security Council condemned Gbagbo's decision not to accept the overall political solution proposed by the high-level panel put in place by the African Union, and urged him to "immediately step aside," the resolution said.

The resolution also reiterated the longstand UN demand that Gbagbo "lift the siege of Golf Hotel without delay." Ouattara is protected by UN peacekeepers in the hotel.

Gabagbo had refused to cede office despite his rival Ouattara being recognized by the international community as the rightful winner of the November elections in the West African nation.

The resolution, tabled by France and Nigeria, was adopted amid growing violence in Cote d'Ivoire. Nigeria is one of the 10 non-permanent members of the 15-nation Security Council.