MFAT has helped NZ'ers leave Libya - McCully

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has helped 29 New Zealanders leave Libya in recent weeks, the Government said today.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said five were evacuated to Malta by the British government on a navy ship, one took a United State-chartered ferry to Malta, two were evacuated on an Irish charter flight to Ireland, three took advantage of British-chartered evacuation flights and the remainder left on commercial flights.

"We are very grateful to our friends who assisted the departure of New Zealand citizens under difficult conditions," Mr McCully said.

"At present there appears to be four New Zealanders remaining in Libya who indicated that they did not wish to depart."

Mr McCully said New Zealand supported the military steps being taken to implement the UN Security Council's resolution which demanded an immediate and complete ceasefire in Libya.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi had ignored warnings and intensified attacks against the Libyan people, he said.

Earlier today Prime Minister John Key also said New Zealand supported the military action the United States and European nations were taking against Gaddafi's forces.

"It supports the UN Security Council resolution demanding the reduction and elimination of violence by the Libyan government against the people of Libya, and also the no-fly zone across Libya because, of course, Gaddafi is using his air space to attack his own people," Mr Key said on TV One's Q&A programme.

He was speaking as cruise missiles and airstrikes were launched against Libya's air defence positions, clearing the way for air patrols to enforce the no-fly zone.

Mr Key was asked whether New Zealand had moved to impose financial sanctions on Libya, as several other countries had done.

"Not that I'm aware of," Mr Key said.

"We continue to monitor that situation and look and see whether that's a requirement...we are part of the international regime when it comes to sanctions, and those that come out of the United Nations, we follow."

Mr Key was also asked about the agreement the Government signed with Libya last year allowing students to come here to study.

About 300 a year are expected to take it up, earning New Zealand about $30 million.

"It's the sort of thing we'll have to take a close look at," Mr Key said.

"But the people of Libya, I suspect, want their own freedom and their own future and their own opportunities -- and the way to deliver that is through education.

"(We) shouldn't necessarily cut that capacity simply because we don't agree with the actions of Colonel Gaddafi."

Mr Key said the Middle East was undergoing substantial change driven by young people.

"So we need to make sure that if we do make any moves that we're taking appropriate action," he said.