'Argentina should take careful note of this result,' Cameron

UK Primer Minister David Cameron called on Argentina to respect the wishes of Malvinas Islanders, who have overwhelmingly voted to stay British.

After two days of voting the inhabitants of the South Atlantic archipelago decided by 99.7 per cent in favour of retaining their status as a United Kingdom overseas territory. Turnout from the electorate of 1,649, some of whom had queued in wind and rain yesterday to cast their ballots in Puerto Argentino, was 92 percent.

The Prime Minister said this was "the clearest possible results there could be" and that he would always be there to defend the islands.

Speaking at 10 Downing Street just hours after the result of the referendum was announced, Cameron said it sent a clear message to Argentina.

"They should take careful note of this result," said the Prime Minister.

"The Falkland (Malvinas) islanders couldn't have spoken more clearly. They want to remain British and that view should be respected by everybody, including by Argentina."

Cameron insisted that the islanders were entitled to the right to self-determination.

"It is the clearest possible result there could be," he said.

"The Islands may be thousands of miles away but they are British through and through and that is how they want to stay. People should know we will always be there to defend them.

"We believe in self-determination. The Islanders have spoken so clearly about their future and now other countries right across the world, I hope, will respect and revere this very, very clear result."