A few hotels and clubs in Baghdad are planning to throw heavily-guarded New Year’s Eve parties tonight as a growing number of Iraqis dare to venture outside their homes and celebrate.

Even so, the revelry will be subdued and a mere fraction of the fun had before the invasion.

The Babel Hotel in the heart of the capital is holding its first December 31 party in five years.

“We have not been allowed to throw parties for the public until now, also no singers would agree to come for the occasion and the security was bad,” said Diya, the hotel’s party organiser.

“But I decided to have a party this year because I feel that the security situation is improving. Also people are able to travel to the hotel and spend the night outside their home,” he said.

Two Iraqi singers will entertain the crowds along with a Father Christmas. Serving as a reminder of the ongoing security fears, however, several armed guards will be on duty and security cameras have been fitted inside the hotel.

Diya recalled the freedom he enjoyed to hold events during Saddam Hussein’s time.

“Before the invasion we held a party every week, not just one at the end of the year. Also on New Year’s Eve we would have three different parties going on at the same time,” he said.

Asked what his hopes were for 2008, the 36-year-old said: “I know it is a very difficult wish but I wish that Iraq could be like it used to be before.”

Up until the New Year of 2003 thousands of people in Baghdad would throng Arasaat Street, a well-to-do area that used to be lined with scores of restaurants and stores selling alcohol.

Music blasting from their cars, young Iraqi men and women as well as families would gather to count down the last few seconds of the old year and cheer in the new one before heading off to eat and dance until dawn.

Almost five years of war have chased away many restaurant owners, while the public chooses to avoid staying out late because they fear the criminal gangs that kill and kidnap after dark.

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