Delay of daylight saving time stirs sectarian controversy
A decision by caretaker PM Najib Mikati to postpone the start of Lebanon’s daylight saving time has stirred controversy with sectarian undertones in the country, especially after a leaked video of a conversation between Mikati and Speaker Nabih Berri.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Premiership announced that daylight saving time will be “exceptionally” postponed by a month this year to start at the midnight of April 20-21 instead of March 25-26.
The decision created confusion and pushed Lebanon’s national carrier -- Middle East Airlines -- to bring forward the times of its flights by one hour in the period between March 25-26 and April 20-21.
The postponement decision coincides with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
In a leaked video, Berri is seen telling Mikati that “Egypt and everyone are keeping the clock unchanged.”
“Instead of (fast-breaking time) being at 7:00 (pm), let’s keep it at 6:00 (pm) from now until the end of Ramadan,” Berri added.
Mikati answers by saying that he had personally wanted to do so but that such a decision would affect airlines and create problems. The postponement statement was however issued later in spite of the premier's remarks.
Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil later criticized the move in a tweet.
“The issue of daylight saving time is unacceptable and it reflects a lot of implications … It is unacceptable to remain silent over it and one should think of filing an appeal against it or defying it,” Bassil added.
MP George Atallah of the FPM also commented on the issue.
“An establishment that does not value time: it has lost the timing of approving reforms, it has lost the timing of implementing an economic plan, it has wasted partnership, the National Pact and the constitution, and it will waste our unity, because it is sectarian and ignorant,” Atallah tweeted.
Source: Naharnet
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