Argentina's third president in two days postponed

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Last-minute political wrangling delayed the Argentine Congress from appointing an interim president Saturday night as lawmakers quarreled over how long a caretaker should remain in office and when to call new elections.

The political roadblock came shortly before Congress was to name Adolfo Rodriguez Saa, a provincial governor, to fill the office vacated Thursday by Fernando de la Rua. De la Rua resigned following widespread looting and rioting that resulted in 26 deaths and 200 injuries.

Rodriguez Saa was chosen unanimously on Friday by his Peronist Party to take over from Senate leader Ramon Puerta, who was serving as acting president while congressional leaders sought a replacement.

But Rodriguez Saa had enough votes and his appointment as provisional president appeared near-certain.

Late Saturday, three hours later than scheduled, Congress began what was likely to be lengthy nighttime debate. Lawmakers were expected to negotiate over the length of Rodriguez Saa's term and an election date and then vote to name him as head of the caretaker government. Lawmakers set a deadline of midday today for filling the post.

Rodriguez Saa is expected to serve in the job -- which many in his own Peronist party spurned -- for at least 60 days, until new elections scheduled for March 3. The leader elected will finish out the two years of De la Rua's term.

Peronists' power

His appointment restores Argentina's largest party, the Peronists, as the country's dominant political force after the worse unrest since the late 1980s, when another financial crisis gripped this South American country of 36 million people.

Rodriguez Saa's main role will be confronting a four-year recession that has pushed unemployment above 18 percent and has the country on the brink of defaulting on its $132 billion public debt.

Serving as governor of San Luis province in western Argentina the past 18 years, he was known for colorful rhetoric and a populist touch