New Zealand has ruled out sending combat troops to Iraq to fight the Islamic State militants. However, it may send military personnel to train and build the capability of the Iraqi forces, Prime Minister John Key said Wednesday.
In a speech on national security in Wellington, Key said that his country would increase its humanitarian aid to people displaced by the conflict in Iraq and Syria but ruled out sending troops to the region.
"I'm ruling out sending SAS (Special Air Squadron) or any troops into combat roles in Iraq, though our military can and may well help with building capacity and capability of Iraqi forces," Key said, reports Reuters.
Key said that between 30 and 40 New Zealanders were on a watch list compiled by government agencies who suspect them of being involved in extremist activities.
To counter the extremist threat, Key proposed new measures like giving power to the concerned department to cancel passports for up to three years on security reasons and also to cancel the passports temporarily for up to 10 working days if the case is vital.
More funds would be allocated to the country's intelligence agency and it would also be given broader surveillance powers, Key said.
Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee said that three military planners had already left for the Middle East to ascertain what New Zealand can do to help the Iraqi troops in the fight against the Islamic State militants. Brownlee said that seven more personnel would join them and clarified that his country's involvement depended upon the invitation of the Iraqi government, reports The Associated Press.
