Buenos Aires Governor Daniel Scioli confirmed Security Minister Carlos Stornelli in his post amid rumours saying the governor was poised to sideline him following complaints and week-long protests over rising crime in Greater Buenos Aires.

"Stornelli as well the higher authorities of the Police have all my support in this war against crime. They are working together according to my desire and instructions.

"We have declared war on drug trafficking. My administration is also evaluating a change on the law so that it can be fit to the new methods crime is using, and that's the kind of work Stornelli is leading"

Scioli also referred to the press that has been saying that possible cabinet changes could be done by the Buenos Aires Governor, "I'm not going to play their (press) game which consists of publishing one thing so then I have to say another."

Several local media reports yesterday said provincial government sources admitted Scioli was evaluating changes at the Security Ministry and the leadership of the Buenos Aires police following a series of crimes in the province including the murder of a 41-year-old architect in Wilde district which led to four days of demonstrations by residents.

Asked whether the return of Santiago Montoya - former head of the ARBA provincial tax bureau - the Governor admitted contacts with Montoya, who could rejoin the provincial government in a different area as Scioli remarked that "Montoya is not replacing Stornelli as the press said."

Scioli denied the reports and said he "is not influenced by rumours" and added he was confident of "reversing the trend of rising crime" in the province.

Asked if he would once again run for Vice-president with Néstor Kirchner for the 2011 presidential elections, Scioli commented: "It is not a proper time to talk about elections and/or candidacies. There is a long way ahead to 2011, all I'm focused in right now is to resolve the demands of the people of the Buenos Aires Province."