NZ backs action against Gaddafi

New Zealand supports the military action the United States and European nations are taking against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces, Prime Minister John Key said today.

"It supports the UN Security Council resolution demanding the reduction and elimination of violence by the Libyan government against the people of Libya, and also the no-fly zone across Libya because, of course, Gaddafi is using his air space to attack his own people," Mr Key said on TV One's Q&A programme.

He was speaking as cruise missiles and airstrikes were launched against Libya's air defence positions, clearing the way for air patrols to enforce the no-fly zone.

Mr Key was asked whether New Zealand had moved to impose financial sanctions on Libya, as several other countries had done.

"Not that I'm aware of," Mr Key said.

"We continue to monitor that situation and look and see whether that's a requirement...we are part of the international regime when it comes to sanctions, and those that come out of the United Nations, we follow."

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said Gaddafi had been "responsible for brutal acts of violence against the Libyan people".

"We fully understand the reasons why military actions have
been undertaken to secure Libyan compliance with the terms
of the resolution."

Gaddafi had ignored the ceasefire and intensified his attacks, he said.

"The New Zealand government calls on the Gaddafi regime to
fully comply with the terms of Security Council Resolution
1973, and implement the ceasefire."

Questions raised over Libya education deal

Mr Key was also asked on Q&A about the agreement the Government signed with Libya last year allowing students to come here to study.

About 300 a year are expected to take it up, earning New Zealand about $30 million.

"It's the sort of thing we'll have to take a close look at," Mr Key said.

"But the people of Libya, I suspect, want their own freedom and their own future and their own opportunities - and the way to deliver that is through education.

"(We) shouldn't necessarily cut that capacity simply because we don't agree with the actions of Colonel Gaddafi."

Mr Key said the Middle East was undergoing substantial change driven by young people.

"So we need to make sure that if we do make any moves that we're taking appropriate action," he said.

- NZPA