Turkish police have killed a suspected suicide bomber outside government offices in the capital Ankara.

Reports said the suspect failed to detonate his explosives and set off a security alarm inside the justice ministry at about 0615GMT.

He was seen running out of the building after resisting arrest but was gunned down by police soon after. He died a the scene.

There is no indication of the motive of the alleged militant.

The area, in the busy administrative centre of the city, was cordoned off as bomb squad agents searched the man.

Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, questioned by reporters, refused to comment on the incident, saying only that "an investigation is under way".

PHOTO CAPTION

Police forensic officers remove the body of a suspected bomber after he was shot and killed by security in Ankara July 1 2005. (AP)