Middle East Features

In photos: 'Bethlehem Christmas Eve'

By M&C News Dec 25, 2007, 1:04 GMT

Christian women light candles in the Church of the Nativity, built over the biblical grotto of Jesus' birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers packed the city to secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Nuns wait for the arrival of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah during Christmas celebrations on Manger square outside the Church of Nativity in the west Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers have packed the city to secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Christian women light candles in the Church of the Nativity, built over the biblical grotto of Jesus' birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers packed the Manger square during one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

A monk pictured in the Church of the Nativity, built over the biblical grotto of Jesus' birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. Hotels in the city are full for the first time in years, as worshippers took advantage of the lull in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the area. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Palestinian scouts take part in their traditional Christmas procession outside the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. Hotels in the city are full for the first time in years, as worshippers took advantage of the lull in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the area. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah (C) walks across Manger square outside the Church of Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, for the annual Christmas celebrations in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. Hotels in the city are full for the first time in years, as worshippers took advantage of the lull in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the area. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Palestinian Christians, some wearing traditional costumes, gather during a procession outside the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by many to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, during Christmas festivities in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Gloom was banished from Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem for the first time in years on Monday as Christian pilgrims from all over the world flocked here to celebrate Jesus' birth in an atmosphere of renewed tranquility. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Christian Palestinians celebrate Christmas on Manger square in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers packed the Manger square to secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

A Christian boy with a Santa Claus balloon in the Church of the Nativity, built over the biblical grotto of Jesus' birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. Dozens of Palestinian police and security officers packed the Manger square to secure one of the town's most important tourism events: Christmas. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN

Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah (C) waves as he walks across Manger square outside the Church of Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, for the annual Christmas celebrations. in the west Bank town of Bethlehem, 24 December 2007. EPA/ABED AL HAFIZ HASHLAMOUN