ABU DHABI, April 4: The United Arab Emirates has shut down a Dubai-based computer firm that allegedly helped Libya and Iran develop their nuclear programmes, the Central Bank said on Sunday.

US President George W. Bush said in February that SMB Group was a front for proliferation of nuclear components. He said its Sri Lankan director, B.S.A Tahir, was an aide to Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan.

"All SMB-related accounts have been frozen," Central Bank Governor Sultan Nasser al-Suweidi told reporters on the sidelines of a financial conference in Abu Dhabi. "The UAE has shut down the firm and has formed a committee to investigate this company," he said without elaborating.

Earlier this year, the Central Bank said it would launch a probe into Tahir's business if proof of any wrongdoing emerged. At the time, Tahir was named as the head of another Dubai-based company, Gulf Technical Industries, which media reports said had dealings with SMB. -Reuters