Top officials from the International Monetary Fund or the IMF are in Argentina to press that government to cut spending in exchange for renewed economic aid.

The financially-troubled country is reportedly seeking at least $15 billion in IMF assistance to help replenish dwindling reserves.

The IMF, however, says Argentina must develop a plan for sustainable economic growth as a condition for financial aid. The IMF withheld a $1.2 billion loan payment to Argentina last month, saying the government failed to keep spending under control.

Years of budget deficits are blamed for Argentina's financial chaos, which has triggered widespread protests across the country.

Argentina has been in recession for nearly four years and is in default on its $141 billion public debt. The country also struggles to contain an 18 percent unemployment rate.

In a related development, Argentine Foreign Minister Carlos Ruckauf is in Rome for a two-day visit aimed at winning economic aid for his country. He arrived there Wednesday from Washington, where he held talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill and Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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