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Deaths fall as Baghdad celebrates Deaths fall as Baghdad celebrates
(10 minutes later)
The number of civilians killed in Iraq is continuing to fall, data published by Iraqi ministries suggest.The number of civilians killed in Iraq is continuing to fall, data published by Iraqi ministries suggest.
The December death toll was 480, down from almost 900 two months previously and about 2,000 in December 2006.The December death toll was 480, down from almost 900 two months previously and about 2,000 in December 2006.
US commanders attribute the reduced violence to their "surge" strategy which involved sending thousands more American troops to Iraq in 2007.US commanders attribute the reduced violence to their "surge" strategy which involved sending thousands more American troops to Iraq in 2007.
People in Baghdad have been celebrating the New Year for the first time since the 2003 invasion, correspondents say. A bomb killed nine people in Baghdad hours after the city celebrated New Year for the first time since 2003.
I haven't seen a happy place like this in so long Eve Ridaa al-AzzawiBaghdad revellerI haven't seen a happy place like this in so long Eve Ridaa al-AzzawiBaghdad reveller
American military deaths also fell in December, dropping to 21 compared to more than 100 in December 2006.American military deaths also fell in December, dropping to 21 compared to more than 100 in December 2006.
Other likely factors behind the fall in deaths are the emergence of Sunni tribal groups opposed to al-Qaeda and the truce called by Shia militia leader Moqtada al-Sadr.Other likely factors behind the fall in deaths are the emergence of Sunni tribal groups opposed to al-Qaeda and the truce called by Shia militia leader Moqtada al-Sadr.
However, US military officials have warned that security improvements might not last unless Iraqi political leaders made progress with reconciliation.However, US military officials have warned that security improvements might not last unless Iraqi political leaders made progress with reconciliation.
New Year's partiesNew Year's parties
In Baghdad, Iraqis saw in 2008 with beeping car horns and celebratory gunfire, which continued for half an hour after midnight, correspondents say. But in violence on Tuesday, a suicide bomber attacked a funeral in eastern Baghdad killing nine people and injuring 20, police say.
The device went off at around 1630 (1330 GMT) in the Zaytouna neighbourhood.
Earlier, some of Baghdad's inhabitants saw in 2008 with beeping car horns and celebratory gunfire, which continued for half an hour after midnight, correspondents say.
"The security has changed and it took us by surprise," student Eve Ridaa al-Azzawi, 22, told the Reuters news agency in between dances in the ballroom of the Palestine Hotel."The security has changed and it took us by surprise," student Eve Ridaa al-Azzawi, 22, told the Reuters news agency in between dances in the ballroom of the Palestine Hotel.
"We're very happy, especially us young people," he said, as belly-dancers entertained the crowd."We're very happy, especially us young people," he said, as belly-dancers entertained the crowd.
"I haven't seen a happy place like this in so long.""I haven't seen a happy place like this in so long."