New Zealand FM to discuss troop deployment in Iraq

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully has left for Baghdad to discuss New Zealand's military contribution to the fight against Islamic State insurgents in Iraq.

McCully said in a statement from his office Tuesday that he had left the day before to hold talks with Prime Minister Haider al- Abadi and Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Ja'afari.

"New Zealand is committed to supporting Iraq as they address the threat posed by ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) and build a more law-abiding and democratic country," McCully said.

"To date New Zealand's contribution to the international coalition against ISIL has been focused on the provision of humanitarian aid to people displaced by the fighting in Iraq and Syria," he said.

"In February, the Prime Minister announced plans to deploy a military training mission to Iraq. My visit was an opportunity to talk to the government of Iraq about the deployment and how we ensure our defense personnel have the appropriate legal protections."

He would report back to the Prime Minister and Cabinet colleagues on the outcome of these discussions.

Key announced the controversial decision last month to send up to 143 New Zealand troops to Iraq to help in the fight against Islamic State insurgents.

Key said New Zealand's military personnel would fulfill a non- combat, "behind-the-wire" mission to train Iraqi Security Forces, but opponents have said there would be no safeguards against " mission creep" into combat roles, while claiming forces loyal to the Iraqi government had also committed atrocities.

Critics also say the deployment undermines New Zealand's independent foreign policy and would unnecessarily make New Zealand a target for terrorist attacks. Endi