Lebanon will finally switch to summer time on Thursday, the government announced on Monday, reversing its decision to postpone the time change for a month which had confused the population, with part of the country refusing to comply with it.
“The government has decided to maintain its previous decisions concerning the transition to summer time (…)” which “will take effect overnight from Wednesday to Thursday”, Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced on Monday. outcome of a cabinet meeting.
The decision to postpone, announced two days before the planned transition to summer time on the night of Saturday to Sunday, had angered Christian political and religious leaders and accentuated the community divide in this multi-confessional country.
“This decision was intended to lighten (the day) of fasting for the month of Ramadan”, which extends from sunrise to sunset, explained Mr. Mikati, deploring “odious community reactions”.
At the call of the Maronite patriarchate, the most powerful Christian community in Lebanon, part of the country refused to comply with the postponement announced last week.
Thus, the country, plunged into a deep political and economic crisis, woke up under two time zones, which caused disruptions in international flights or foreign-related institutions, many countries having moved to the time summer sunday.
The two main Christian parties, the Lebanese Forces and the Free National Movement, also protested against the Prime Minister’s decision.
Mr. Mikati, a Sunni Muslim at the head of a resigning cabinet, has de facto ruled the country since the mandate of the President of the Republic, a Maronite Christian, expired almost five months ago.
“Let’s be clear. The problem is not winter or summer time (…) the problem is the vacancy of the presidency of the Republic”, underlined Mr. Mikati, calling on the deputies to assume their responsibilities and to elect a president.
Deeply divided, Parliament has already met 11 times without being able to agree on the election of a president.
27/03/2023 15:25:24 – Beirut (AFP) © 2023 AFP
