Thousands of people have gathered to celebrate Christmas at the birth of Jesus Christ, the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

The Roman Catholic Patriach, Michel Sabbah, led the traditional procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem where he is due to lead a midnight service at the Church of the Nativity.

The Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, and his Christian-born wife, Suha, are among those planning to attended.

It's the fourth Christmas since the Palestinian authorities took control of Bethlehem.

Correspondents say tensions in the Middle East have kept many tourist away.