Thousands of Dubai residents spent the last hours of 2017 and the first of 2018, down the world's tallest Burj Khalifa building, which adorned laser and loud music instead of fireworks, celebrating the New Year.
According to Dubai police estimates, about 1.5 million people are expected to have seen the city's celebrations by the new Gregorian year.
Earlier, Managing Director of Emaar Properties, Ahmed Thani Al Matrooshi, said the company, with its new step, laser display, is preparing to enter the Guinness Book of Records with a stunning display of laser games.
A reporter for Sky News Arabiya reported the celebrations in the Burj Khalifa and City Walk areas near Burj Al Arab, where they witnessed laser shows and music, while Lebanese singer Diana Haddad performed a concert.
Security personnel have been deployed in the celebration areas of Dubai to facilitate visitor traffic and maintain security.
In the capital city of Abu Dhabi, Al-Mariya was the scene of the New Year, with thousands marking the first moments of 2018.
Thousands of Abu Dhabi residents watched the fireworks that lit up the sky in several areas, including the island of Mariya and the city's corniche.