[JURIST] AP is reporting that the UN General Assembly has approved the text of a draft global treaty designed to prevent nuclear terrorism.

11:35 AM ET – The approval of the text comes at the end of a seven-year negotiating process characterized by tensions between nuclear and non-nuclear powers. Under the draft, states are obliged to criminalize certains acts relating to nuclear terrorism and impose sanctions against offenders. Many such acts are already covered under the laws of UN member states. Read the full text of the draft nuclear terrorism convention [PDF]. The draft will be open for signature in September and will go into force after 22 ratifications. Reuters now has a full story. Nicolas Michel, UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel, gave a press briefing on the draft convention in New York Tuesday.