Almost all of the Middle East's Muslims will celebrate the annual feast of Eid al-Fitr on Wednesday following moon observations Monday night to determine the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Religious authorities in Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates announced that Fitr will be held Wednesday, with only Libya deciding to mark the feast on Tuesday.
Ramadan, during which Muslims fast daily from sunrise to sunset, is set by the Islamic lunar calendar and each country's religious authorities determine when the new month has arrived.
Most Muslim authorities issued proclamations after observing the moon on Monday night, while Libya made its announcement Sunday based on astronomical calculations.
Ramadan was marked around the region this year by passionate demonstrations of solidarity with the Palestinians in their clashes with Israel -- CAIRO (AFP)
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