4. The United Nations supported British demand for the Argentines’ withdrawal from the Falkland Islands
Anthony Parsons, British Ambassador to the United Nations, submitted a resolution condemning the invasion and demanding withdrawal, which was adopted by the Security Council. Officially the French government condemned the Argentine action and suspended arm sales to them. In reality, a technical support team from the French manufacturer Dassault – which built the Exocet missiles – remained in Argentina and worked with their military throughout the war, providing technical support and repair. The United States offered support to the British, including the loan of an aircraft carrier which could be used by their Harrier jump-jets – USS Iwo Jima.
The Argentines received support too, fighter; bomber, and transport aircraft from Peru, missiles and other weapons from Libya, via Brazil, and technical support from Israel. Documents declassified in 2012 indicated that the United States Secretary of State, Alexander Haig, supported the Argentine position, and attempted to convince the American President, Ronald Reagan, to deny support for the British. Britain also received the support of Chile, which forced the Argentines to retain forces in Patagonia which otherwise would have been deployed in the Falklands. New Zealand and Australia offered support to the British, with the New Zealand Navy proposing the loan of a frigate to cover British obligations elsewhere, freeing a Royal Navy ship for deployment to the Falklands.