Iraq's foreign minister to visit NZ

Iraq's foreign minister is coming to New Zealand and he'll tell the government how it can best help the fight against Islamic State extremists.

Ministers on Tuesday confirmed troops were training for a possible deployment to Iraq, but said no decision had been taken to send them.

Ibrahim al-Ja'afari's visit on Friday is likely to settle the issue, if he asks for help with training Iraqi forces.

That's the government's preferred option, and it has ruled out sending troops in a combat role.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced the visit on Wednesday.

"New Zealand is currently considering options for a non-combat, training role, in Iraq and this visit is an opportunity to gain the Iraqi government's perspective on how New Zealand can best assist," he said.

"Any capacity building role for the New Zealand military in Iraq will be dependent on an invitation from the Iraqi government."

Dr al-Ja'afari will meet Prime Minister John Key, Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and Mr McCully during his one-day visit to Auckland.

Opposition parties say the government has already decided to send troops, and that they have been training since late last year for a deployment in late February or March.

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Iraq's foreign minister to visit NZ

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