NZ issues travel warning for Kuwait

New Zealanders are being warned against "non-essential" travel in Kuwait because of the threat of war in the region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which issued the travel warning today, urged New Zealanders in Kuwait to leave "unless they have compelling reasons to stay".

People should take advantage of commercial air services while they were still operating, the statement said.

"In the event of a disruption of air services to Kuwait, New Zealanders who remain should not assume the New Zealand Government would be able to assist them."

New Zealanders in Kuwait should have already registered with the British embassy.

Britons were also asked by the British embassy yesterday to leave the state due to "increasing regional tension and the risk of terrorist action".

Kuwait borders Iraq, which is under threat of a possible war led by the United States and Britain .

- NZPA