Africa prepares common position on arms trade - African experts on Monday began a meeting in Lome on the African Union's strategy on small arms and light weapons to come out with a common position on the treaty on the arms trade.

According to the organizers, the meeting is aimed at reaching the dual goal of adopting a strategic paper on small arms and light weapons and its plan of action, and to work out a common African position on the treaty on the arms trade.

The four-day meeting has brought together experts from various African countries and the Head of the African Union Defence and Security Division, Sharif Tarek.

It is organized by the African Union with technical support from the Lome-based United Nations Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa.

Pana 27/09/2011