South America 'backs Argentina' over Falklands oil

Argentina says it has the support of Latin American leaders for its claim to the Falkland Islands.

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said she had backing for a resolution stating Britain's decision to allow oil drilling in the area breached its sovereignty.

Britain is allowing oil exploration to begin in waters off the Falkland Islands for the first time, following up predictions that the sea bed could contain substantial reserves.

Argentina, which Britain defeated for control of the islands in the 1982 Falklands War, still claims the South Atlantic islands and says oil exploration by British company Desire Petroleum is a breach of sovereignty.

Ms Fernandez told Central and South American and Caribbean leaders at a summit in the Mexican resort of Cancun that the exploration was "systematic violation" of international law.

"In the name of our government and in the name of my people I am grateful ... for the support this meeting has given to our demands," she said.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez addressed the Queen directly on his weekly television programme, telling her to return the Falklands to Argentina, and repeated his claims in Mexico.

"We support unconditionally the Argentine government and the Argentine people in their complaints. That sea and that land belongs to Argentina and to Latin America," he said.

Argentina has formally objected to the drilling and will require all ships from the Falklands to obtain permits to dock.

Desire Petroleum said it broke ground at a well on its offshore "Liz" prospect, which it believes could contain up to 400 million barrels.