The Central Bank, in a circular, asked the banks and other financial institutions concerned "to search for immediately and freeze any accounts, deposits and investments" in the names of the following organisations and individuals:

First: Al Qaeda/Islamic Army, Abu Sayyaf Group, Armed Islamic Group (GIA), Harakatul Mujahideen (HUM), Al Jihad (Egyptian Islamic Jihad), Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Asbat Al Ansar, Salafat Group for Call and Combat (GSPC), Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, Al Itihad Al Islamiya (AIAI), Islamic Army of Aden.

Second, individuals: Osama bin Laden, Muhammad Atif/Subhi Abu Sitta/Abu Hafs Al Masri, Sayf Al Adl, Shaykh Sai'd/Mustafa Muhammad Ahmad, Abu Hafs the Mauritanian/Mahfouz Ould Al Walid/Khalid Al Shanqati, Ibn Al Shayak Al Libi, Abu Zubaydah/Zayn Al Abidin Muhammad Husayn Tariq, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Thirwat Salah Shihata/Muhammad Ali, Tariq Anwar Al Sayyid Ahmad/Fathi/Amr Al Fatih, Muhammad Salah/Nasr Fahmi Nasr Hasanayn. Third, NGOs: Makhtab Al Khidmat/Al Khifaf, Wafa Humanitarian Organisation, Al Rashid Trust.

Fourth, entity: Mamoun Darkazanli Import-Export Company. "You are also required not to transfer any funds to the persons or entities mentioned above into any territory or country and in case you received funds from the persons or entities mentioned or in their favour, to freeze them immediately," the Central Bank said in the circular.

"Non-compliance will lead to freezing of your assets in the US and its financial institutions and other countries and would subject you to severe penalties in the UAE," added the circular issued under the signature of the Governor of Central Bank, Sultan bin Nasser Al Suweidi.

Wam adds: The circular asked the relevant financial institutions to provide the Central Bank's department for banking supervision and examination with relevant statements on the usual form. All communications to the central bank should be sent through facsimile No. 02-6674501.