Middle East a no-go area says Goff

New Zealanders should avoid all travel to the Middle East now that war in Iraq has started, says Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff.

"The Government has already advised any New Zealanders in Iraq to leave, and we reiterate our advice that New Zealanders in countries bordering Iraq, or countries most likely to be affected if the crisis spreads, should depart immediately or move to a safer area," he said yesterday.

"This applies particularly to New Zealanders in Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, where people should be aware of the potential risk by conventional, chemical and biological weapons."

New Zealanders living in Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Lebanon, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and southeastern Turkey should also leave unless there were compelling reasons to stay.

Mr Goff warned that New Zealanders travelling overseas should maintain a high level of "security awareness".

"There is an increased risk in a number of Western cities and capitals, as acknowledged by the United States Government's decision to raise its security threat to orange - the second-highest level.

"Take precautions for personal safety and avoid crowded or landmark places; choose destinations and activities carefully; avoid places where Westerners are known to gather."

Hot spots

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has divided countries into risk groups:

* Extreme risk - Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority (West Bank and Gaza Strip) and Syria.

* High risk - Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Lebanon, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and southeastern regions of Turkey.

* Some risk - Cyprus, Egypt and western and eastern regions of Turkey.

- NZPA