Southern African Development Community defence ministers ended a two-day meeting in Maseru yesterday where they discussed a blueprint for defence, security and safety for the region.

The ministers reviewed a report of senior officials who had discussed in detail matters of defence, security and safety earlier this week.

South Africa's Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said the talks were "an expression of their (the ministers') determination to ensure safety and security for the well being for the people of southern African region".

They had agreed that the people of the region who elected their governments expected their leaders to work towards the achievement of peace and stability for their countries.

Lekota said the ministers agreed that potential investors feared the possibility of conflicts and political violence in the region.

It was, however, encouraging that the need by the SADC nations to protect one another was recognised in the recommendations adopted by the ministers.

The report would be forwarded to the SADC heads of states and government for ratification.

Lekota said Zimbabwe also participated at the talks and that all the decisions on safety and security in the region were shared by all the members of SADC. – Sapa.