Desmond Orijiako, a spokesman for the African Union (AU), said no details on the defence policy were yet available, but that a report would be presented at an AU summit in Maputo in July.

"The ministers discussed a common defence policy for Africa. They decided to seek further input on a common policy from their respective ministers of defence," he told AFP.

"The broad agreement on this issue will be reflected at the meeting in Maputo."

Orijiako said ministers, who met at the Sun City resort near Pretoria, also discussed the possibility of tracing the African diaspora by asking embassies around the world to draw up lists.

"We discussed how this could benefit them and we could benefit by their involvement -- in short how to develop a mutually beneficial relationship."

Said Orijiako: "There is no way of knowing how many Africans live outside Africa."

He said some 37 ministers attended, while the rest of the 53-member organisation was represented by senior officials.

Ministers will attend a final briefing of the secretariat of the New Partnership of Africa's Development (NEPAD) for a detailed discussion on Africa's home-grown rescue plan in Johannesburg on Saturday.

On Sunday, they will attend celebrations there to mark the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, which was replaced by the AU last year.

WAR.WIRE