A congressional leader took over as the fourth president in two weeks Monday as Argentina struggled with a deep economic and political crisis. Tempers flared earlier as angry Argentines lined up at banks and riot police cordoned off Government Palace. House leader Eduardo Camano - who was likely to lead the executive branch only for a matter of hours - became the next in line of succession after Adolfo Rodriguez Saa ditched his week-old caretaker presidency on Sunday, complaining that powerful members of his Peronist Party had let his government crumble as he tried to confront a devastating financial crisis.

A Peronist political leader, Buenos Aires provincial Sen. Eduardo Duhalde, was heavily favored by lawmakers to take over as interim president after a congressional session set to begin Tuesday afternoon. Rodriguez Saa became interim president on Dec. 23, taking over from acting president Ramon Puerta, who filled in for 48 hours after elected president Fernando de la Rua resigned. De la Rua was forced out amid protests and looting over the government`s inability to contain an economic crisis and unemployment topping 18 percent.

Rodriguez Saa took a leave of absence citing unspecified health reasons, authorities said.

Lawmakers also signaled Monday that they wanted to scrap a scheduled March election and let Duhalde complete de la Rua`s term ending in 2003. Camano`s position was more a formality while Congress finds a permanent successor for Rodriguez Saa.

Meanwhile, authorities bolstered security for New Year`s celebrations.

A handful of rifle-toting soldiers in camouflage uniforms patrolled the Government Palace while riot police blocked traffic from circulating around the grassy square, the Plaza de Mayo, the scene of recent rioting. Bureau Report