But according to Bridgewell Securities analyst Geoff Miller, regulatory uncertainty could delay the timing of a Euronext bid.

BBC: Analysis

The two men also disagreed sharply on the timing of new elections, with Mr Papandreou seeking a delay of several months while Mr Samaras wanted them immediately.

BBC: Greeks agree coalition government without Papandreou

The delay with U.S. carriers is awkward timing for RIM, which will air its first-ever Super Bowl ad on Sunday as part of a plan to spend "several hundreds of million" dollars into marketing around the launch of the two new phones, Mr. Heins said.

WSJ: Finally, a BlackBerry��But More Delays

Former Labour cabinet minister Lord Reid of Cardowan said the government had been "weak" on the question of timing and it was not in the interests of Scotland to delay the election until next year, but he said he was not "frightened of Alex Salmond".

BBC: Scottish independence: Lords approve referendum order

He says the delay suggests there may be a behind-the-scenes battle over the timing of returning to civilian rule.

BBC: Egypt presidential election: Decision on date delayed