The Swiss government ordered the country's banks to block any assets belonging to the regime of Col. Moammar Gadhafi, marking Bern's fourth such freeze in the last month involving assets that may belong to African and Middle Eastern leaders.

The freeze takes immediate effect and lasts for three years. It is designed to give the banks time to search for any deposits by Col. Gadhafi, members of his family and certain government ministers. The blocking order includes real estate and luxury goods and covers 29 people, including Col. Gadhafi's wife and children, a number of relatives of his wife and six government officials.