NZ could send peacekeepers to Lebanon, says Clark

New Zealand would be likely to contribute peacekeepers to Lebanon if a truce could be negotiated, Prime Minister Helen Clark says.

New Zealand was among 43 countries at the United Nations to make a statement to the UN Security Council calling for a ceasefire in the escalating conflict between Israel and militant group Hizbollah in southern Lebanon.

Helen Clark today said New Zealand had contributed to peacekeeping efforts in the region for more than 20 years and was likely to contribute again if asked.

"We've shown our willingness to be committed to peacekeeping in the Middle East and were the Secretary General (Kofi Annan) able to persuade the warring parties to go to a ceasefire and step up the peacekeeping presence, I think New Zealand would want to respond," she said.

However, the Government would have to consider what form the force took and what resources were available.

"The question is: what would be the form, what would be the role -- what could New Zealand do?" Helen Clark said.

"We've been quite heavily committed across the Solomons, East Timor, Afghanistan. Our other multinational or UN commitments of recent times have tended to be at the staff officer or military observer level, but I'm sure we would want to respond in some way."

Yesterday she said the Government had condemned the killing and detention of Israeli soldiers by the military wing of Hamas in Gaza and by Hizbollah in Lebanon.

But New Zealand also could not accept that Israel had reacted with due proportionality or caution.

"Israel must heed the many calls to restrain itself and allow full and immediate access to relief efforts," she said.

- NZPA

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