January 1 a New Year holiday in UAE

January 1, 2012 will be a holiday for the private and public sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the news site "Emirates 24/7" said. The report cited a circular issued on Tuesday by:

• Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Quttami, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Federal Government Human Resources Authority, and
• Saqr Gobash, Minister of Labor. 

The officials said work in federal bodies and the private sectors will resume on January 2, 2012.

"Emirates 24/7" said banks in the UAE will also be closed on January 1 for the New Year holiday.

The UAE Central Bank said banks will resume operations the next day. - VVP, GMA News