Yemeni security forces have arrested an al-Qaeda would-be suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest near the south-eastern port of Mukalla, the Interior Ministry reported on Saturday.

The ministry identified the suspect in a statement as Saleh Abdul-Habeeb al-Shawish, and said he was riding a motorcycle and wearing an explosive belt when policemen captured him overnight Friday, DPA reported.

It said police also seized two other explosive devises on the motorcycle.

The arrest was made in the Khalf suburb of Mukalla, some 900 kilometres south-east of the capital Sana'a, the ministry said.

"Initial interrogation with the captured terrorist showed that he planned to carry out a suicide attack on economic facilities," it said.