Europe celebrates New Year; Spain at EU helm

The clock in Madrid’s famous Puerta del Sol formed the focal point as Spain welcomed in 2010. Thousands turned out for the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes in time with the chimes of the clock which every December 31 ushers in the new year. Europe celebrates New Year; Spain at EU helm This time there was greater significance as an elaborate light show reflected. Spain is taking over the rotating European Union Presidency for the next six months – the first country to do so under the new Lisbon treaty. Elsewhere in Europe, hundreds of thousands of people across the UK have gathered to see in 2010 amid spectacular firework displays, the BBC says. In London, more than 200,000 people gathered along the banks of the River Thames to hear Big Ben strike midnight. Close to a million party-goers rang in the new year at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, according to Deutsche Welle. Under freezing temperatures and light snow, party-goers danced to the hits of Michael Jackson and enjoyed a ten-minute long fireworks display. In Moscow, about 150,000 people and guests of the Russian capital took part in New Year's celebration on Moscow's Red Square and surrounding areas, a police official said. "No major incidents were registered during the festivities," the source told RIA Novosti. Police earlier said over 50 people on Moscow's Red Square were detained on New Year's Eve for an attempt to hold an unauthorized protest rally near the Kremlin. According to recent reports, all detainees have been released after receiving administrative warnings. See photos of New Year celebrations from around the world The fireworks in London (Tanjug/Xinhua)

Europe celebrates New Year; Spain at EU helm

This time there was greater significance as an elaborate light show reflected.

Spain is taking over the rotating European Union Presidency for the next six months – the first country to do so under the new Lisbon treaty.

Elsewhere in Europe, hundreds of thousands of people across the UK have gathered to see in 2010 amid spectacular firework displays, the BBC says.

In London, more than 200,000 people gathered along the banks of the River Thames to hear Big Ben strike midnight.

Close to a million party-goers rang in the new year at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, according to Deutsche Welle.

Under freezing temperatures and light snow, party-goers danced to the hits of Michael Jackson and enjoyed a ten-minute long fireworks display.

In Moscow, about 150,000 people and guests of the Russian capital took part in New Year's celebration on Moscow's Red Square and surrounding areas, a police official said.

"No major incidents were registered during the festivities," the source told RIA Novosti.

Police earlier said over 50 people on Moscow's Red Square were detained on New Year's Eve for an attempt to hold an unauthorized protest rally near the Kremlin.

According to recent reports, all detainees have been released after receiving administrative warnings.

See photos of New Year celebrations from around the world