Sir Rex Hunt, ex-Falklands governor, dies

LONDON -- Sir Rex Hunt, the British governor of the Falkland Islands when Argentina invaded them in 1982, has died. He was 86.

Prime Minister David Cameron said Monday that Hunt "should be a hero to everyone in Britain" for his service during the war. Britain won and reclaimed the contested islands, called the Malvinas by the Argentines.

"He gave years of dedicated service to this country and to the Falkland Islands," Cameron said. "My thoughts are with his family and friends as they mourn him today." Hunt's government said the former governor, who died at a hospital in his country on Sunday, will be remembered "for his courage and dignity" during the Falklands conflict.

Hunt was captured by Argentine forces and expelled to Uruguay. He returned to the islands after British forces defeated the invaders, and resumed serving as governor until 1985.

He also served for many years as chairman of the Falkland Islands Association and as president of the UK Falkland Islands Trust. -- AP