Yemeni security forces have arrested six people on suspicion of organising attacks on South Koreans and of plotting another 10 attacks against Western targets, the interior ministry has said.

The ministry said on Wednesday that the six detainees were members of an al-Qaeda cell wanted by the security forces.

The cell was suspected of organising two suicide bombings against South Koreans which killed a total of five people, one against a group of tourists visiting the historic eastern city of Shibam and the other against a group of officials who had been dispatched to join the investigation.

The cell was also suspected of plotting 10 other attacks against Western targets, including oil installations and foreign tourists, the ministry's website quoted a senior security official as saying.

Hunting more suspects

"The security forces are in the process of hunting down the other members of the cell. Their arrest is only a matter of time," he said.

The official did not say where or when the six suspects were arrested.

In the wake of the attacks on the South Koreans, Yemen said it was hunting for suspected members of Al-Qaeda said to be plotting new attacks.

The interior ministry offered a reward to anyone who provides information about people "recruited by Al-Qaeda and preparing to commit acts of terror and sabotage in Yemen," the official Saba news agency reported.

It appealed to the wanted men to surrender "before they commit acts which will harm the country's security and stability," and also warned those sheltering suspects that they would face prosecution.