Palestine celebrates New Year

Tourists and Palestinians pack Manger Square
for New Years Eve celebrations on Dec. 31, 2011

BETHLEHEM -- Crowds packed Palestinian squares to celebrate the New Year on Saturday night, amid tentative hopes that 2012 would bring independence to Palestine.

Issa Jamal, 19, told News agency in Bethlehem: "I am looking to the year 2012 as the year of freedom and a Palestinian state."

Tourism in the southern West Bank city was still booming after Christmas celebrations last week. Officials said 3,500 foreign tourists spent New Years Eve in Bethelem. 

Meanwhile President Mahmoud Abbas sounded a note of caution, adressing the celebration of the 47th anniversary of his Fatah movement in Ramallah on Saturday.

Revellers in Bethlehem celebrate New Year 

"This year should be the year of the Palestinian state, but we have no illusions, also because the barriers and obstacles are so many and become more each day with the existence of a (Israeli) government that does not want to have peace," he said.