UAE ushers in 2011

Dubai Sydney Harbour Bridge. The London Eye. Times Square in New York. The Burj Khalifa.

At the stroke of midnight, Dubai joined an exclusive club of world cities whose landmarks are iconic in bringing in the New Year.

As the clock ticked towards the first seconds of 2011, thousands of New Year revellers celebrated as the world's tallest building turned into a virtual column of colour and dazzle with a spectacular fireworks display.

A huge crowd turned up to watch the New Year fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Fireworks lighten up the Burj Khalifa to celebrate the coming New Year.

New Year revellers gather around the Burj Khalifa to watch the fireworks on Friday.

Fireworks explode near Malaysia’s landmark Petronoas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

People release balloons as the Tokyo Tower is illuminated to celebrate New Year at a countdown event at the Zojo-ji Buddhist temple in Tokyo.

The sky above Sydney Harbour lights up at midnight during the fireworks display to celebrate the New Year’s Day in Sydney, Australia.