There is a very clear political decision to end the freeze, to free depositors of this worry

Cabinet chief Alfredo Atanasof

Mr Duhalde and his new economy minister Roberto Lavagna are desperate to find a way of placating the general public who face highly unpopular limits on the amount of cash they are allowed to withdraw.

The new propositions to sell state land, railroads or even furniture demonstrate just how few alternatives Argentina has to help its poverty-stricken people.

They come as Argentina faces a 12-hour strike by unions in protest against economic policies, and daily protests from the general public due to the difficult living conditions.

Disappearing savings

"There is a very clear political decision to end the freeze, to free depositors of this worry," Cabinet chief Alfredo Atanasof told local television.

The savings freeze has been in place for five months in order to avoid financial collapse at the country's ailing banking system.

As well as the highly unpopular withdrawal limits, Argentina's banks were shut for a whole week earlier this month in order to try and stop a cash crunch.

While Argentines have been unable to access their savings, the value of the peso has declined about 70% against the dollar.

The freeze has also driven a wedge between the president and the Supreme Court, which has twice ruled it unconstitutional.

Economic officials had previously been assessing whether to convert the savings into bonds but have now scrapped this idea.

Scepticism

But there is already some scepticism over whether the new plan to sell land would work.

"People are resigned to the fact Mr Duhalde doesn't know what he's doing," said political analyst James Nelson.

Lifting the freeze is just one problem that the government must solve to lift its nation out of the deep recession that is expected to see the economy contract by 15% this year.

The biggest challenge is to try and ensure the correct economic policies to uncap new aid from the International Monetary Fund.

And Argentina must also meet an imminent $800m debt repayment to the World Bank or have the last remaining avenue to aid cut-off.

Argentina now has unemployment rates topping 25%, and millions now rely on barter to feed and clothe their families, while shanty towns are multiplying.

The once-prosperous middle class is now protesting in the streets, and 27 people have died in food riots and other disturbances.