The groups are to be banned under the Terrorism Act 2000

The decision means the ban will come into force on Friday, bringing the total number of banned groups to 40.

The groups have links in Iraq, Uzbekistan, Libya, Pakistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Morocco.

Concerns were raised by some MPs, who said evidence of the groups' activities should be revealed and argued decisions must be made on an individual basis.

'Allegiances'

The Home Office believes the selected groups are "concerned in terrorism".

Some 25 international organisations are already proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000, and a further 14 already banned in Northern Ireland.

Labour MPs John McDonnell and Alan Simpson, expressed their reservations when the ban was debated in the House of Commons on Thursday.

Mr Simpson said the groups were being banned because their allegiances had shifted from "pro-western terrorism to anti-western terrorism".

Both MPs said the government should make its evidence available on why it had banned the groups rather than putting through a "composite list".

Being a member of a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000 can be punished by a 10-year prison term.

Glorifying terrorism

Among the new list of groups to be banned are Islamic organisations Ansar Al Islam, Groupe Islamique Combattant Marocain, Al Ittihad Al Islamia and Ansar Al Sunna.

Speaking earlier this week in support of the ban, Home Secretary Charles Clarke said: "Recent events in London and elsewhere in the world have shown all too clearly that the threat posed by global terrorism has not gone away.

GROUPS TO BE BANNED: Libyan Islamic Fighting Group Groupe Islamique Combattant Marocain Ansar Al-Islam Al Ittihad Al Islamia Islamic Jihad Union Ansar Al Sunna Hezb-e Islamia Gulbuddin Harakat ul Muhajideen/Alami Jundallah Sipah-e Sahaba Pakistan Lashkar-e Jhangvi Khuddam u-Islam Jamaat ul Furquan Harakat ul Jihad ul Islami Harakat ul Islami (Bangladesh)

"The attacks of 7 and 21 July have served as a stark reminder of the need to maintain a vigorous approach to dealing with terrorisms and their supporters.

"Proscription is an important power, and one not to be used lightly.

"The list of proscribed organisations is kept under constant review and, after careful consideration of all the relevant factors, I am satisfied that these groups should be added to it."

Mr Clarke said he was determined to act against groups that may not be involved in committing acts of terrorism, but still "provide succour or support for terrorist groups and their acts".

The Terrorism Bill, which is due to be published shortly, would amend the Terrorism Act 2000 to allow the proscription of organisations which glorify terrorism.

It would also cover proscribed organisations which change their names in an attempt to evade the law by continuing the ban to the renamed group.