Buenos Aires (ANTARA News/Reuters) - Argentine thieves stole at least $68,000 that was meant to be used as spending money for officials during a trip by President Cristina Fernandez to the Middle East.

Local media said armed thieves mugged a presidential official who was walking in the street with the money in a backpack and forced him to hand over the bag before speeding off on a motorbike.

The official had been given the cash to take on a trip by Fernandez to Turkey, Qatar and Kuwait to pay the expenses of officials accompanying her.

"(The robbery) happened yesterday and it`s been reported to the police," government spokesman Alfredo Scoccimarro said on Thursday, shortly before Fernandez was due to leave.

The incident comes amid a surge in drive-by robberies in Argentina. In many cases, the thieves target people as they leave banks carrying large quantities of cash. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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