CAIRO (AFP) -- Religious authorities in most Muslim countries across the Middle East have announced that the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan will be celebrated either today or tomorrow.

In Egypt, state mufti Ali Gomaa said the feast would be celebrated today, in a statement broadcast on state television Sunday.

The new moon, which ushers in the month of Shawwal that follows Ramadan, was not visible, therefore Monday will be the last day of fasting, it said.

Egyptians traditionally celebrate Eid al-Fitr by visiting relatives, going out and eating "kahk" -- a biscuit sprinkled with icing sugar.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, abstain from eating, drinking, smoking during daylight hours. Only the elderly, sick and those traveling are exempt.

In Iraq, Sunni Muslims was to celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Monday, at least one day ahead of the Shiites, coalition radio said Sunday.

Al-Iraqiya radio quoted a statement from Sunni religious scholars marking Monday as the first day of the holiday since, it said, the new moon was sighted in the northern regions of Samarra and Mosul, and in Khales, west of Baghdad.

It also quoted a statement from the main Shiite organization, the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, inviting the faithful to watch for the new moon today in the evening -- meaning they would celebrate Eid al-Fitr either Wednesday or Thursday.

Other Iraqi Shiite religious leaders had previously said Eid would fall on today.

The Sunni announcement that Eid would fall on Monday was greeted by bursts of gunshots in the air across Baghdad.

The Sunnis, who formed the power base of toppled president Saddam Hussein, largely reside in the north and the west. Shiites, who make up the majority, live mainly in the south.

In the United Arab Emirates, officials also said it would be celebrated today or tomorrow.

Yemen's state Saba News Agency also said it would be held today because the new moon was not spotted on Sunday.

But in Libya, where Eid is celebrated according to astrological calculations, state television announced the feast was to take place Monday.

In the lunar Muslim calendar, each month begins with the citing of the new moon, depending on when and where the new crescent is visible. Months last 29 to 30 days.