Washington: The US treasury department has frozen the assets of the finance chief of Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden`s son-in-law.

The department Tuesday froze all assets Muhammad Abdallah Hasan Abu-al-Khayr has under US jurisdiction and prohibited US nationals from engaging in any transactions with him, Xinhua reported citing an official statement.

Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey called al-Khayr a "key leader of the terrorist organisation`s finance section".

Al-Khayr appears on the 2009 list of 85 people wanted by Saudi Arabia because of his role as an Al Qaeda financial facilitator.

Al-Khayr allegedly transferred thousands of dollars for a specific terrorist attack against US interests. He also works for Al Qaeda in the media committee, and has, on at least one occasion, recruited a member for the terrorist outfit.

BDST: 1023 HRS, August 25, 2010