As hundreds of thousands of people across the UAE were preparing to see in the New Year on Monday, the country's leaders thanked the nation for a prosperous 2018.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE's Armed Forces, said hard work and dedication meant the Emirates was continuing to thrive.
"Delighted at the collective efforts of our people in 2018 and look forward to 2019, the Year of Tolerance," he tweeted.
"Our people's hard work & dedication helps us march ahead powerfully. We look forward to peace and security prevailing across the world."
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also sent a tweet to mark the beginning of a new year.
"As we welcome 2019, we look forward to achieving new hopes, dreams and ambitions in our continued belief that nothing is impossible," he wrote.
"I wish the people of the UAE, the Arab region and the world a happy new year filled with peace, tolerance, and compassion."
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The massive colourful display of fireworks to ring in 2019 at the Corniche in Abu Dhabi on December 31, 2018. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Abu Dhabi rings in the New Year with a 10-minute fireworks display along its Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Fireworks illuminate the sky around Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, during New Year's 2019 celebrations in the Gulf emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. EPA -
New Years' Eve celebrations of fireworks and light show at The Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai area. Victor Besa / The National -
New Years' Eve celebrations before the fireworks at The Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai area. Victor Besa / The National -
New Years' Eve celebrations before the fireworks at The Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai area. Victor Besa / The National -
New Years' Eve celebrations before the fireworks at The Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai area. Victor Besa / The National -
New Years' Eve celebrations before the fireworks at The Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai area. Victor Besa / The National -
New Years' Eve celebrations of fireworks and light show at The Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai area. Victor Besa / The National -
New Years' Eve celebrations of fireworks and light show at The Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai area. Victor Besa / The National -
New Years' Eve celebrations of fireworks and light show at The Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai area. Victor Besa / The National -
Fireworks explode over the Burj Al Arab hotel during the New Year celebrations in Dubai. Reuters -
The massive colourful display of fireworks to ring in 2019 at the Corniche on December 31, 2018. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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