Somali gov't says parliament's self-extension was to avert a political vacuum

Somalia's fragile government says last week's decision by the country's parliament to extend its term for three years was aimed at averting a political vacuum.

Cabinet ministers met in Mogadishu on Tuesday and said that while they respect the international community's concern about the extension, the final decision should be made by Somalis.

Somalia's parliament last week overwhelmingly voted to extend its own term by three years. It is supposed to end in August, when the mandate of the government expires.

The U.S., EU and U.N. criticized the decision. The international community pays the salaries of Somalia's government and parliament, which critics say have accomplished next to nothing.

Source: The Canadian Press