Luanda — The Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) play an important role in the social programmes of the Government headed by the Head of State and commander- in-chief, José Eduardo dos Santos, said the minister of National Defence, Cândido Pereira Van-Dúnem.

The minister was speaking at the opening ceremony of the meeting that gathered military leaders and which aimed at examining military forum issues.

According to him, the country can not develop unless it safeguard the aspects of national defence and security, peace and stability.

To the minister, this task (national defence and security) requires the prediction of a set of internal and external factors.

Cândido Van-Dúnem also said that the Executive attaches special attention to operative, combative and patriotic education preparation of FAA, granting them the necessary ability to face the present and future challenges.

"The current challenges call for serious and responsible institutions, capable to speed up the high-impact projects and implement actions focussed on progress and development of the nation," he said.

The incumbent minister also said that the sector recorded a stronger engagement of the staff in the electoral process, defence of constitutional legality and the development of social programme in 2012.

Scheduled to end on Friday, the meeting is being chaired by the Chief of General Staff of FAA, Army General Geraldo Sachipengo Nunda and gathers senior officers of the three branches: Army, Air Force and Navy.