The IMF mission will stay in Argentina until Feb. 19 with the aim of observing the country's economic and social situation, and the progress of the government's economic programme, the statement said.

Officials from the IMF arrived in Buenos Aires earlier this week to continue talks with the government about the restructuring of Argentina's $57-billion (£44 billion) financing programme with the Fund.

(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Chris Reese)