Argentina to complain to UN over 'militarisation' of Falklands

Argentina's president Christina Fernandez de Kirchner is to make a formal complaint to the UN Security Council after accusing Britain of "militarising" the Falklands dispute.

Tensions have been growing in the Malvinas in the run-up to the 30th anniversary of the Falklands war. Prince William has just begun a six-week posting on the island and HMS Dauntless has been deployed to the islands.

Mrs Kirchner accused Britain of acting like a colonial power in a speech to veterans from the Falklands war.   

“We can not interpret in any other way the deployment of an ultra-modern destroyer accompanying the heir to the throne, who we would prefer to see in civilian attire,” she said.

Choice

Mrs Kirchner made her speech inside the presidential palace. Crowds outside waved Argentinian flags and shouted: "Malvinas! They belong to us!"

The UK Foreign Office said that the people of the Falkland Islands were British out of choice. "They are free to determine their own future and there will be no negotiations with Argentina over sovereignty unless the islanders wish it."

Britain has held the islands since 1833 and Downing Street has vowed to defend the islands which are home to 3,000 people.