<strong>More from The National:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/uae/watch-plenty-to-look-forward-to-in-the-uae-in-2019-1.808032">WATCH: Plenty to look forward to in the UAE in 2019</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/world/new-year-celebrations-around-the-world-in-pictures-1.808084">New Year celebrations around the world - in pictures</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/uae/the-uae-in-focus-in-pictures-1.807998">The UAE in focus: our favourite images of the year</a></strong>