An Argentinian public prosector has called on the federal courts to investigate the foreign minister, Guido Di Tella, for his alleged role in illegal arms sales.

The prosecutor, Carlos Stornelli, wants Mr Di Tella to answer charges that he was responsible for sales of weapons to Ecuador and Croatia in the early 1990s in contravention of arms embargos against the two countries.

Before Mr Di Tella could be prosecuted, the impeachment sub-committee of the Argentinian parliament would have to strip him of his immunity as an elected politicians.