New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has continued to insist that the special meeting with foreign military leaders with U.S. President Barack Obama was simply a "regular meeting." Mr Key said New Zealand was a long way off from sending troops to fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Reports said New Zealand may provide more humanitarian aid to those displaced by the conflict in Iraq and Syria.

Mr Key downplayed the ISIS talks in Washington as a normal meeting frequently attended by New Zealand's defence chief Tom Keating. Gen Keating's attendance in what Mr Obama described as a meeting of coalition members had prompted Labour to claim it was a strong indication that the Key government was prepared to commit New Zealand's military forces.

Asked by reporters if New Zealand is now part of the coalition, Mr Key said New Zealand is technically one of the 60 countries who are part of the broader coalition against ISIS. New Zealand has provided humanitarian aid in the past. However, in terms of military support, New Zealand was a "very long long way from committing" at this point.

Mr Obama had warned those in the meeting that the ongoing campaign against the extremist group will be drawn out. Mr Key agreed with Mr Obama in terms of strength. He said New Zealand was already providing humanitarian aid, so it may be the option that the government will pursue.

Labour MP Phil Goff's accusation that the government had committed to sending military troops to Iraq was regarded as a "very crazy" idea. Mr Key said he still plans on discussing the matter with other parties and provide them with confidential briefings regarding New Zealand's possible deployment.

Mr Key told reporters that he understood the coalition efforts against ISIS were not the only purpose of the meeting. The defence chief also assured him that the meeting in the Andrews Airforce Base was just a regular one.

Meanwhile, the continued U.S. airstrikes have forced ISIS militants to slow down their advance on the Syrian city of Kobane and swing back the advantage to Kurdish forces. Fox News reports that ISIS has been beaten back by aerial assaults in the last two days. A Kurdish commander revealed they have retaken control of some areas from ISIS.