The first full day of the visit to Britain by President Carlos Menem of Argentina has been dominated by Argentine efforts to seek deeper reconciliation between the two countries that fought a war over the Falkland Islands in 1982.

In a speech in London, Mr Menem restated Argentina's claim to sovereignty over the Islands, but said his country rejected the use or threat of force to solve the question.

He said the conflict should never have happened and his visit was intended to promote peace and reconciliation.

Earlier, Mr Menem laid a wreath at St Paul's Cathedral in honour of those killed in the war and had lunch with the Queen.