NZ Stays in Afghanistan

New Zealand will keep a small team of military personnel in Afghanistan to help coalition forces after it formally withdraws in April 2013, according to The Washington Post. The group of 27 will be primarily based in Kabul. New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key said the country remains committed to international efforts to improve the security and prosperity of Afghanistan. Last year, New Zealand announced it was withdrawing from the country in April 2013, five months earlier than planned. The country has stationed about 145 soldiers in central Bamiyan province since 2003.Ten New Zealand soldiers have died during the conflict.