21 Mar 2011

New Zealanders evacuated from Libya

5:54 am on 21 March 2011

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has helped evacuate 29 New Zealanders from Libya in the last couple of weeks.

Four New Zealanders have opted to remain in the country.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says they felt sufficiently safe to stay in Libya.

Mr McCully says New Zealand is grateful for the assistance of Britain, Ireland and the United States who helped with evacuations, following a request from the New Zealand Government.

The United Nations Refugee Agency says it is preparing to receive 200,000 people fleeing the fighting.