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Iraqis Publicly Welcome 2008
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Published: January 1, 2008
BAGHDAD - It was something not seen in Baghdad since before the 2003 invasion - people publicly welcoming a new year with singing, dancing and alcohol-fueled revelry.
The ballrooms of two landmark hotels - the Palestine and the Sheraton - were full of people for the first New Year's Eve celebrations after four years of violence that has bloodied Iraq.
"This place is now more secure," said Zahraa, 23, adorned with heavy black eyeliner and red lipstick, sitting with colleagues at the Palestine hotel, which was the target of car bombs in 2005.
"Yes, we are still afraid, but we need to lighten our moods occasionally," she said.
About 200 guests, mostly men, danced to traditional Iraqi music at the large hall in the Palestine, decorated with blue, white and yellow chiffon.
Elsewhere, a suicide bomber attacked a checkpoint manned by a group fighting against al-Qaida in Iraq, killing 12 people.
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