New Zealand PM makes secret visit to see security situation in Iraq

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has just completed a secret visit to New Zealand troops in Iraq and met with Iraqi leaders to discuss the fight against Islamic State insurgents.

Key said in a statement from his office Wednesday that he had visited Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, where New Zealand forces are part of a multinational mission to train Iraqi security forces.

He also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and President Fuad Masum in Baghdad to discuss the campaign to defeat ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), and New Zealand's contribution to it.

More than 60 countries and regions are involved in the international coalition against ISIL, with New Zealand committing up to 143 troops for two years to the Building Partner Capacity mission in Taji, alongside Australia.

"More than 2,100 Iraqi soldiers have now been through the training program, learning everything from how to detect IEDs ( improvised explosive devices) to leadership skills. That training is helping save lives and defeat ISIL," said Key.

"The feedback from the battlefield is those soldiers we have trained have performed well and raised the standards of the soldiers around them," he said.

"I leave the base more convinced than ever that we made the right decision to join the international coalition against ISIL, and reassured that our troops are making a valuable contribution in Iraq."

New Zealand's contribution to Task Force Taji includes trainers, dedicated force protection personnel and logistics and medical specialists.

Key said Prime Minister al-Abadi and President Masum both thanked New Zealand for its support and underlined Iraq's commitment to defeating ISIL.

"I was also heartened to hear the Iraqi troops say the same. These young men are fighting to defend their families and their country and deserve our support," said Key.

"New Zealand cannot and should not fight Iraqis' battles for them, but we are making a valuable contribution." Endi