Outbreaks of looting have spread across Argentina as mobs take advantage of strikes by police demanding pay raises to match inflation.

President Cristina Fernandez was re-elected in a landslide, winning with the widest victory margin in Argentina’s history after her government spread the wealth of a booming economy.

Raul Alfonsin, whose presidency of Argentina came to symbolise the return of democracy across Latin America from an era of military dictatorships, has died.

Argentina teetered on the brink of economic collapse today after anti-government protests and looting prompted the president to declare a state of siege and the entire cabinet to resign.

Argentina's Government will announced the proposed economic measures today "if possible", government spokesman Juan Pablo Baylac said at a news conference.