New Zealand Rolls Over Military Presence In Afghanistan

WELLINGTON (AFP)--New Zealand's military deployment to Afghanistan has been rolled over for another year to September 2010, Prime Minister John Key said Tuesday.

New Zealand has more than 140 soldiers in Afghanistan, primarily involved in reconstruction work in Bamiyan province.

"Cabinet has decided to extend that commitment by a year to the end of September 2010," Key said.

"The situation in Afghanistan requires an ongoing international program of security and development assistance to the government of Afghanistan."

The announcement came a day after Key said New Zealand hadn't been asked to increase its commitment.

U.S. President Barack Obama last week authorized 17,000 more troops for Afghanistan, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he would ask NATO allies for a short-term troop increase to provide security for elections in August.