Dubai, Jan 4 (DPA) Security was tight in the Gulf city-state of Dubai Monday, as officials prepared for the opening of the Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest skyscraper.
The gleaming glass and steel tower of more than 160 floors extends more than 800 metres into the sky, making it some 300 metres taller than Taipei 101, currently listed as the world’s tallest inhabited structure.

Designed by British architect Adrian Smith, the complex includes 1,000 residences, 160 luxury hotel rooms, and 37 office floors with corporate suites.

Authorities have reserved some 7,000 parking spaces for guests at Monday evening’s gala opening ceremony.

The long-awaited opening of the Burj Dubai dominated television reports across the Arab world Monday.

Organisers are not saying who apart from the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) leaders would attend the ceremony, but the guest list is likely to include luminaries from the business and diplomatic worlds.

The event has provided some welcome publicity for the emirate, a month after the the state-owned holding company Dubai World said it needed a repayment freeze on its debt of $59 billion.