Publishing giant Pearson has stated that it considers the 3.3% stake in the company held by Libya's sovereign wealth fund as "effectively frozen".

The assets of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have been frozen by the UK treasury, who have not said if the Libyan Investment Authority's (LIA) assets are included.

However, US government has frozen $30bn (£18bn) of Gaddafi family, LIA and central bank assets.

The European Union has frozen assets of Col Gaddafi and five family members.

It has also banned the supply of arms, ammunition and any equipment that could be used for "internal repression".

The total value of the Gaddafi family assets that are frozen remain unconfirmed, but reports suggest a figure of £1bn.