Murray McCully

Wellington, July 7 NZPA - New Zealand troops will be sent to the Solomon Islands to provide security during elections.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said 37 Defence Force personnel would be sent and be part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (Ramsi) Combined Task Force.

"The security situation in Solomon Islands is currently stable, and this deployment is simply a precautionary measure to ensure Ramsi has sufficient resources on the ground to assist the Solomon Islands Police, which is leading election security efforts," Mr McCully said.

The group will leave New Zealand on Thursday before the August 4 election.