Argentine President Steps Down, Leaves Government Headquarters

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, December 21, 2001

Argentine President Steps Down, Leaves Government Headquarters

Argentina's President Fernando de la Ruaon Thursday stepped down and left the government headquarters aboard a helicopter to his presidential residence at Olivos.

Argentina's President Fernando de la Ruaon Thursday stepped down and left the government headquarters aboard a helicopter to his presidential residence at Olivos.

De la Rua, who had formally tendered his resignation and sent the signed document to Congress on Thursday, stepped down taking responsibility for the country's failing economy.

De la Rua came under fire as the South American nation's economy crumbled amid violent street protests, with Buenos Aires trying to stave off default on its public debt amounting to 132 billion U.S. dollars.

Street protests and widespread disturbance across the county, triggered the government's austerity policies, have left at least 20 people dead and more than 150 injured, the worst social unrest in more than a decade.

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