By Lara Holmes

Argentina is attentive and vigilant to the British military presence in the Falkland Islands and has the ability to defend against a possible attack on its mainland, said Wednesday the Argentinean defense minister amid growing diplomatic tension between the two countries on the sovereignty of the archipelago.

Defense Minister of Argentina Arturo Puricelli , however, clarified that they have a pro-military or are getting ready any kind of force and reiterated that the Argentinean government continues to claim sovereignty of the Falklands by diplomatic means.

The English have to be assured that in the Argentinean territory in the Falklands we tolerate their presence, but if they come to the Argentinean territory (mainland) there is no doubt that we will exercise our legitimate right of defense and have the capacity and tools to do it, Puricelli said to local media.

The official made ​​the remarks one day after President Cristina Fernandez announced that Argentina will present a formal complaint against Britain before the Security Council of United Nations for what it called an attempt to militarize the South Atlantic from the issuance of a war ship to the Falklands.

We are alert and vigilant to any armed force that could threaten our national defense, our interests, our sovereignty and our jurisdiction. That is the policy that was given to  the by the President of the nation, said the defense minister.

Argentina claims sovereignty of the archipelago occupied by Britain since 1833 and for which both countries had a war in 1982.