Facing two time zones, the crisis grows in Lebanon
According to the news from the official Lebanese agency NNA, Mikati responded to the reactions of Christians after the application of the extension decision.
Noting that he regrets that the decision to extend the application of winter time until April 20 instead of March 26 was taken in a sectarian direction, Mikati said: “The decision, which is purely administrative, was aimed at alleviating one group of citizens without harming other groups.
Facing two different time zones yesterday, the Lebanese were stunned.
Mikati stated that he met with Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Basara Butrus er-Rai, who is the country’s most active Christian representative, for a detailed explanation of his decision, saying: “I explained to him the reasons why the decision was made and that It has nothing to do with any consideration that may offend any Lebanese element.”
LEBANON IS IN TWO TIME BONES
Mikati, who is Sunni, announced on March 23 that DST would be implemented on April 20.
The government did not show any reason for the postponement of the application, which starts in March of each year to take advantage of more daylight, but it was estimated that this was due to the month of Ramadan.
In a statement on the subject, the Maronite Christian Church in Lebanon announced that it would not comply with the decision to implement the clock, which was supposed to change but was postponed yesterday.
Following the church’s announcement, Christian NGOs, schools and parties also made statements that the government’s time decision would not be followed and that daylight saving time would begin.
After that, Lebanese citizens were faced with two time zones. (AA)