Forces of the transitional government in Somalia are reported to have lost control of two key areas in northern Mogadishu during heavy clashes on Tuesday with fighters loyal to two warlords, Musa Sudi Yalahow and Mohammed Dhereh.

At least 25 people were killed, and some 50 injured. A number of the dead were civilians.

President Salat has a shaky hold on power

Latest reports say the situation is calm: one of the warlords, Mr Yalahow, told the BBC that he had no intention of starting fresh attacks.

The BBC's Hassan Barise in Mogadishu says the interim government has a fragile hold on much of the city.

Mr Yalahow is a member of the Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council, a grouping of warlords opposed to the Transitional National Government (TNG) and backed by neighbouring Ethiopia.

The TNG accuses Ethiopia of trying to overturn its rule and keep Somalia weak and divided.

Ethiopia denies these allegations and says the TNG is using it as a scapegoat for its failure to control its territory.

The TNG, led by President Abdulkassim Salat Hassan, was set up in 2000 in neighbouring Djibouti in an attempt to end the years of anarchy which followed the downfall of Siad Barre in 1991.

However, it only controls parts of Mogadishu and little territory outside the capital.