Israel's 55th birthday celebrations

Fireworks lit the Jerusalem sky and revellers defiantly rededicated a Tel Aviv bar blown up days before in a suicide bombing, as Israelis marked their country's 55th birthday.

The celebrations looked much like those of years past, but in the background lurked Israel's twin problems - 31 months of bloody violence with the Palestinians and one of the worst economic downturns in the country's history.

Extra police and guards at the public events hinted at the security problems, and scaled-down festivities in cities and towns away from the main centres indicated the extent of the economic woes.

Several thousand people gathered outside the ancient wall of the Old City of Jerusalem for a televised Independence Day extravaganza broadcast on Israel TV.

A singer was the host, and politicians were on the stage with the dance troupes that are a standard part of such festivities.