WASHINGTON, Jan 22: The United States and Saudi Arabia are asking the United Nations to freeze the assets of four branches of a Saudi charity accused of financially supporting the Al Qaeda network, authorities announced on Thursday.

The four branches of the charity, Al Haramain Islamic Foundation, are located in Indonesia, Kenya, and Tanzania, the US treasury department said. "These branches have provided financial, material and logistical support to the Al Qaeda network and other terrorist organizations," the department said.

The governments of the United States and Saudi Arabia want the United Nations to add the four branches to a blacklist of suspected terrorist financiers, which member countries must honour.

"Our two countries send a clear message: those who hide intentions of terror behind a veil of benevolence and charity will not escape justice from the international community," said Treasury Secretary John Snow.

Also on Thursday, the United States said it was adding the four branches to its own list of people and groups suspected of financially supporting terrorism. That means any financial assets belonging to the branches found in this country must be frozen. It also means the designated branches are cut off from the United States' financial system. It was not known whether the branches have bank accounts or other assets in the United States.-AP