A Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft searching for missing MH 370
IN PHOTO: The shadow of a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P3 Orion maritime search aircraft can be seen on low-level clouds as it flies over the southern Indian Ocean looking for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 March 31, 2014. Reuters/Stringer

New Zealand’s defence chief is in Saudi Arabia to participate in talks about the fight against ISIS. The country may not be officially part of the international coalition against the terrorist group but it is not stopping Defence Force Chief Lieutenant General Tim Keating from attending anti-ISIS meetings.

Keating said he will participate in several meetings where defence chiefs of coalition member countries are expected to discuss strategies against ISIS. He reiterated that th New Zealand government has not made any decisions about the possible involvement of Kiwi troops in Iraq and Syria. The defence chief added that it “makes sense” that New Zealand is represented in the meetings. His attendance will be a chance for the government to receive updates on the current situation, reports 3News.

Keating’s announcement came after he met with UK Defence Chief Gen. Sir Nicholas Houghton in Auckland last week. Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Ja’afari has recently extended a general invitation for New Zealand to aid Iraq in fighting ISIS militants.

In talks with New Zealand Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee, Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Prime Minister John Key, the Iraqi official formally requested military aid from New Zealand. McCully said New Zealand will talk with Australia about the possibility of sending troops to help train government forces in Iraq, reports Global Post.

In a statement, Brownlee said Australia is New Zealand’s closest trade and security partner. He added that it was important for the two countries to share views on international security and defence.

Despite the announcement of New Zealand troops undergoing contingency training for possible deployment to Iraq, Mr Key has reiterated that Kiwi military will not be involved in combat operations. If troops were to be deployed, the prime minister said they will only assist in training the Iraqi military.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s military will be hosting NATO Military Committee Chairman General Knud Bartels. Vice Chief of the NZ Defence Force and Air Vice-Marshal Kevin Short said in a statement that New Zealand enjoys a “good relationship” with NATO and looks forward to discuss issues of mutual interest. Bartels is also expected to visit defence facilities in Auckland while in New Zealand.

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