A former Argentine navy chief has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of babies during the country's years of military government in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

It was shortly after giving evidence to Judge Adolfo Bagnasco that Admiral Ruben Franco was arrested.

Mr Franco, who was the head of the Argentine navy for a year until the country returned to democracy in 1983, was sent to a military prison outside Buenos Aires and is now reported to have been placed under house arrest.

The detention of Admiral Franco follows a two-year investigation by Judge Bagnasco.

'Mothers killed'

The investigation centres on the kidnapping of babies born to prisoners in detention centres during the country's years of military rule.

The enquiry alleges that women were killed after giving birth and their newborn children were given to families sympathetic to the armed forces.

Admiral Franco denies he was involved in this operation, but his arrest gives further momentum to Judge Bagnasco's investigation.

Earlier this year, Mr Bagnasco placed under arrest former military leaders Jorge Videla and Emilio Massera.

A number of ther senior officials from the military government have also been detained.

In 1990, Argentina's former military leaders were pardoned by President Carlos Menem for most crimes committed during the country's years of military rule.