Argentina has begun a series of events to mark 25 years since its 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands, known by Argentines as Las Malvinas.

A memorial ceremony is taking place in the southern city of Ushuaia, with other services due for Buenos Aires.

Ahead of the anniversary, Argentina has criticized the UK for refusing to discuss the sovereignty of the islands.

More than 900 people died in the 74-day war, including 255 British servicemen, 655 Argentines and three islanders.

A UK military task force sailed for the Falklands in April 1982, and troops began a campaign to regain the islands by the end of the month.

Several major land and sea battles followed before the British eventually broke Argentine resistance, recapturing control of Stanley, the islands' capital, on 14 June.

Vigils

Most in Argentina now regard the invasion, ordered by the country's ruling military dictatorship, as a mistake, says the BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Buenos Aires.

The public holiday is an opportunity to remember the dead but also to reiterate the country's claim to the islands, he adds.

Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over the islands, which it has done since 1833.

A formal commemoration service is being held in Ushuaia, the closest mainland city to the islands.

Vice-President Daniel Scioli and Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana are leading the ceremony. President Nestor Kirchner is not attending.

Three hundred veterans of the conflict have gathered in the central square to mark the anniversary.

In Buenos Aires, dignitaries will attend a tree-planting ceremony, and vigils for fallen soldiers will be held around the country.

In London, former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who sent troops to recapture the islands, will hold a private memorial ceremony in St Paul's Cathedral on Monday evening.

'Arrogance'

The build-up to the anniversary has been marked by tensions between Argentina and the UK.

In a statement released on Sunday, UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett expressed "continuing regret" over the lives lost on both sides.

But her Argentine counterpart, Jorge Taiana, criticized British refusals to discuss the sovereignty of the islands.

Plans to commemorate the start of war in London smacked of triumphalism, he added.

"What they are doing is not a commemoration but a military parade, a typical display of arrogance."

Last week Argentina unilaterally scrapped an oil and gas exploration treaty with the UK.

Photo caption

An Argentine veteran at ceremony in Ushuaia