In pictures: End of Bethlehem siege

Thirteen Palestinian militants exiled from the West Bank under a deal which ended the siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem have arrived in Cyprus.

Another group of militants involved in the five-week stand-off have been given a hero's welcome in the Gaza Strip, casting doubt on Israeli hopes that they would be put on trial.

The first of the Palestinian gunmen emerged from the Church of the Nativity shortly after 0700 (0400GMT)

Before embarking on the road to exile they prayed

Relatives clambered for vantage points to wave and cry out the names of those heading for exile

Cyprus has given temporary shelter to 13 militants on Israel's most-wanted list

A group of 26 arrived in Gaza victorious

.... where far from being led to jail, they were given a hero's welcome

There was relief among the monks at the end of the ordeal

With the siege over, Israeli tanks began withdrawing