International Monetary Fund and Argentine officials have held more talks on the country's economy, as President Eduardo Duhalde prepares to unveil a long-awaited reform plan.

IMF officials describe the meetings in Buenos Aires as positive, as the parties discuss ways to revive Argentina's crippled economy. The lending agency, however, says no date has been set for negotiations on new loans to Argentina.

The nation is reportedly seeking at least $15 billion in IMF assistance to recover from nearly four years of recession.

The IMF says Argentina must develop a plan for sustainable economic growth as a pre-condition for aid. It withheld a $1.2 billion loan payment to Argentina in December, saying the government had failed to keep spending under control.

The talks come as Argentine Foreign Minister Carlos Ruckauf continues a multi-nation tour to seek support for the cash-strapped nation. Mr. Ruckauf has received promises of support from Rome, and is expected to meet next with officials in Madrid.

President Duhalde is set to present his long-awaited reform plan for the nation on Saturday.

The South American nation is in default on its $141 billion public debt and more than 18 percent of the Argentine work force is jobless.

Years of budget deficits are blamed for the financial chaos, which triggered deadly anti-government protests last month.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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