Meetings of the defense ministers of the Community of the Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) conference kicked off on Tuesday in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh.

Under Egypt's presidency, more than 27 Arab and African countries and five European countries; France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Spain, are participating in the meetings. 

A number of regional and international organizations; the UN, the Arab League and the African Union, are taking part in the meetings.

The conference started by a meeting at the level of experts to prepare for the CEN-SAD defense ministers' meetings, to be held on Thursday and Friday in Sharm el Sheikh.

The meeting will tackle fighting terrorism, as well as peace and security in the Sahel-Saharan States through the CEN-SAD General Secretariat. 

It will also discuss arrangements and cooperation among the member states' intelligence agencies and counter-terrorism bodies.

The meeting will discuss a protocol on the establishment of the permanent peace and security council and its bylaws.

Earlier, the Armed Forces announced that they finalized all arrangements to secure the city that will host the meetings.

Source: MENA