Brown tells Argentina Britain will not surrender the Falklands

Gordon Brown has warned that he will not surrender the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands ahead of tense talks with Argentina today.

Disputed since 1800s

The Prime Minister will today hold his first meeting with Cristina Kirchner, the Argentinean President, at a conference in Chile.

Mrs Kirchner was elected with a pledge to gain the sovereignty of the islands more than 25 years after Argentina staged an unsuccessful invasion.

British officials are also concerned over a looming diplomatic dispute concerning rights to potentially valuable oil supplies which may lie under the ocean near the Falkland Islands.

However, speaking ahead of talks with the Argentineans, Mr Brown made it clear that he would not negotiate over the islands' sovereignty.

"There is nothing to discuss from our side," he said.