Buenos Aires, Sept. 2 (SANA) Argentine groups have filed a lawsuit seeking to halt a British-Israeli oil project near the disputed Falkland Islands, arguing that the development violates a UN resolution calling for restraint from unilateral action in the contested territory.
The case was brought by Argentine war veterans and environmental lawyers against those behind the Sea Lion oil project, Agence France-Presse reported.
The project, operated by Britain’s Rockhopper Exploration and Israel’s Navitas Petroleum, is located about 220 kilometers from the islands.
The plaintiffs argue that the development violates a UN resolution calling on the parties to refrain from unilateral measures in areas affected by the sovereignty dispute.
Enrique Viale, one of the lawyers involved in the case, said the lawsuit seeks to prevent the companies from starting or continuing work and to halt hydrocarbon extraction and exploitation.
The legal action comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was reviewing its position on the islands when asked whether U.S. policy could change. Argentina welcomed his remarks.
Argentina, which calls the South Atlantic islands the Malvinas, claims sovereignty over the British-controlled territory.
Argentina and Britain fought a war over the islands in 1982 after Argentine forces seized them and then-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sent a military task force to retake the territory.
The administration of U.S. President Ronald Reagan initially adopted a neutral position in the conflict but later provided military and intelligence support to Britain after diplomatic efforts failed.
T.S /ABD
