Somali soldiers and African Union troops are battling Islamist militants in Mogadishu After months of squabbling that angered donors and jeopardised gains from Islamist militants, the rival leaders of Somalia's government have agreed to delay elections.
Both President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and speaker of parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden will remain in office.They also agreed to sack the prime minister, sparking large protests on the streets of Mogadishu.
Despite the row, pro-government forces have been gaining ground in the city.
African Union troops have seized territory from the al-Qaeda linked group, al-Shabab.
However, al-Shabab still controls much of southern and central areas of the country.
Uganda supplies the bulk of the AU troops and its president last week said Somalia's government should be given another year to consolidate gains against militants.
Otherwise, President Yoweri Museveni said Uganda would withdraw its troops.
The UN had said elections should be held this year.
Under the deal, the mandates of the president, the speaker and their deputies have been extended until 20 August 2012, when new elections will be organised.
Mr Museveni had said early polls would allow the militants to reorganise.
Some of the protesters in Mogadishu said that Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was the only senior government official trying to get things done.
A new prime minister is to be named within 30 days.
Earlier this year, the government voted to extend its mandate by a year, but some MPs objected, saying only parliament had the authority to postpone elections.
The current parliament, chosen during a peace conference in 2004, voted to extend its mandate in February for three years.
Somalia has been racked by constant war for more than 20 years. Its last functioning national government was toppled in 1991.
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