Seven members of a local al-Qaeda cell are arrested over alleged plans to attack targets in the United Arab Emirates, BBC News reported citing local state media.

The group was planning actions which compromised the Gulf nation's security, state news agency WAM said.

An unidentified source told the agency the cell recruited people, promoted al-Qaeda and provided finances and logistical support to the organization.

All seven members are believed to be Arab nationals.

Last December, the UAE arrested members of what it called a terror cell which it said was planning to attack targets in the Emirates and Saudi Arabia.