PM will not rule out sending troops to Iraq

John Key is currently at the APEC summit in Manila. Photo / Getty

Prime Minister John Key will not categorically rule out sending ground troops to Iraq as countries consider greater commitments to combat the Islamic State after the Paris terror attacks.

French President Francois Hollande has called for a "grand coalition" to fight the extremist group, and planned to travel to the US and Russia soon to seek the support of both countries' leaders.

New Zealand has already contributed 200 troops to Iraq in a non-combat role to train local forces.

Speaking to reporters in Manila today, Mr Key reiterated that this was a "fair contribution" and that there were no plans to increase military support to the region.

Asked whether New Zealand would consider sending ground troops as part of a "grand coalition", Mr Key said: "You're asking me the question so you can run some piece on the news that says I might.

"To be blunt, I don't have any information, I don't know anything about that situation, I can't tell you what might happen in 10 years' time.

"But it's not our intention to put troops on the ground. Our intention is to continue to put troops on the ground."

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said today it was not worth speculating about ground troops until countries had a better understanding of the impact of the Paris attacks.

"We wouldn't speculate on anything like that until we have a proper discussion, but Paris does change a lot of things about the world we live in," he said.

New Zealand is of one more than 60 countries making some form of contribution to fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

Mr Key said there was no doubt that the US-led coalition could "bowl over" ISIS very quickly.

But this approach failed to take into account the "delicate and finely balanced" politics in the Middle East.

"Ultimately you build another generation with a grievance against the coalition led by the US," he said.

He added: "It's not that [Obama] doesn't believe he can't defeat these people on day one, it's all the carnage you leave behind."

Mr Key noted that countries such as Iran felt the USA's previous interventions in Iraq had "made the situation worse".

The Prime Minister is in the Philippines to attend APEC trade talks. He said the fallout from the Paris disaster was likely to influence the talks, but the main focus was economic issues and the Trans Pacific Partnership.