The UN Security Council has warned Yemen's former president and vice president that they could face sanctions if they continue to interfere in the country's democratic transition.

The Council named former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his deputy Ali Salim al-Beidh, along with others. The statement also expressed concern about reports that money and weapons are being brought into Yemen, according to BBC News.

The British ambassador to the UN said such meddling would not be tolerated.

"What [President Ali Abdullah Saleh] should not do is undermine the political transition, the national dialogue, which is fully supported by all the international community,'' Britain's UN ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said. "What we are saying is that we are giving our full weight behind that process, and we will not tolerate individuals of whatever stature undermining that process.''

The statement which was approved by all 15 council members, expressed concern about reports "of money and weapons being brought into Yemen from outside for the purpose of undermining the transition''.

Yemen has complained to the Council about a seized weapons shipment it says was sent by Iran whom it claims is supporting a southern separatist movement.

The ship, Yemen says, contained Iranian-made bomb-making material, suicide belts, explosives, rockets, surface-to-air missiles, grenades and ammunition.

Iran has strongly denied the charges, and the UN is investigating the claims.