CAIRO, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The meeting of a ministerial committee specialized in defense, security and safety issues in Africa kicked off on Sunday in the new administrative capital of Egypt.

The ministerial committee, one of the African Union's bodies, is tasked with promoting the continent's early alarm system and the implementation of the joint African defense and security policy.

The committee also coordinates the efforts of the police, defense and intelligence institutions of the African Union's countries in fields of banning illegal arms and terrorism.

The five-day meeting will be held on three levels of experts, chiefs of the general staff and defense ministers.