Prime Minister John Key says the Government did consider sending the SAS to Iraq after a request from US Defence Secretary Ash Carter but opted against what would have effectively been a combat role. Prime Minister says Iraq deployment would have effectively been a combat role. Mr Carter has thanked the New Zealand Government for agreeing to extend its training deployment to Iraq after Mr Key's announcement yesterday. Mr Key said it was no secret the US had asked for the SAS, but he opted against it partly because the Iraqi Government did not want it. He also thanked the New Zealand public for what he said was its "staunch support" for the anti-Isis (Islamic State) coalition's efforts.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 21, 2016 16:52 UTC