Australia tightened its anti-terrorism laws after the Bali bombing

All six have been reliably linked to major terrorist activities in recent years, Attorney-General Daryl Williams said on Friday.

Two of the groups, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, have been blamed for the kidnap and murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl in Pakistan last year.

The other four groups are based in Lebanon, Egypt, Yemen, and Uzbekistan.

All six have already been identified as terrorist groups by the United Nations Security Council.

Under Australia's tough new anti-terrorism laws, anyone joining a banned group or assisting in its activities can be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.

"The listing of these groups as terrorist organisations will serve to deter Australians from becoming involved in their activities," said Mr Williams.

Australia has already prohibited a series of organisations, including Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network and the South East Asian-based Jemaah Islamiah.

The country increased its counter-terrorism measures following the 11 September attacks in the US, and the nightclub bombings on the Indonesian island of Bali last October, which killed 89 Australians.

Terrorist links

Of the six groups included in this latest announcement, two are from Pakistan.

As well as being implicated in the murder of Daniel Pearl, they have also been linked to a series of suicide bombings and killings in Pakistan and Indian-administered Kashmir.

The Lebanese-based group Asbat al-Ansar is also included in Australia's list.

It is said to be affiliated to al-Qaeda, and seeks to overthrow the Lebanese Government and establish a radical Islamic state.

The Egyptian Islamic Jihad was blamed for the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in 1981, as well as attacks on US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.

The Yemen-based Islamic Army of Aden was blamed for a suicide attack on the warship USS Cole in Yemen in 2000.

Finally, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan is known for kidnapping US citizens and fighting with the Taleban and al-Qaeda against US forces in Afghanistan last year.