Eritrea has labelled UN sanctions imposed on Wednesday as shameful, and denied allegations that it arms Islamist militants in Somalia.

Eritrea's UK ambassador Tesfamichael Gerahtu told the BBC that the sanctions were illegal and would only worsen the problems in the Horn of Africa.

The Security Council imposed an arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes on top Eritrean officials.

Somalia's beleaguered UN-backed government welcomed the sanctions.

Islamist insurgents have asserted control over most of the country, leaving the government with authority in only small parts of the capital, Mogadishu.

But Mr Tesfamichael said the accusations made by the country's critics were inconsistent.

"Originally it was said we had soldiers and then later came military support and now all of a sudden after certain discussions and opposition they started to talk about political, military and logistical support," he told the BBC's World Today programme.

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