Abu DhabI: Spiderman held a crowd of over 50,000 people spellbound for over 30 minutes as he climbed the Etisalat building.
The daring climb by famous French climber Alain Robert, dubbed Spiderman, was intended to promote the Education Without Borders Conference being held by the Higher Colleges of Technology.
The huge crowd blocked Electra Street and Airport Road to watch Spiderman climb the 150-metre Etisalat building.
The Frenchman started climbing a little after 5pm and within about 30 minutes he reached the top.
Residents watched as Spiderman climbed the front side of the building using only his bare hands.
They began with cheers and then held their breath, as he neared the top.
Palestinian national Fayza Mousa said: "I am really worried that he might fall. I can't bear to look."
These feelings were shared by many who began clapping and cheering when Spiderman reached his target.
Before the ascent, Spiderman had told reporters that although the building was not the tallest, climbing it was not an easy task. "It doesn't depend on height," he said.
"Other factors are taken into consideration such as the grooves in the building, the paint and dust. I also have to rest every few storeys so I can continue climbing."
Every few storeys, Alain stopped for a few seconds to stretch and wave to the public.
The onlookers went wild each time he stopped to wave and spurred him on, screaming: "You can do it".
A youngster sporting a Spiderman outfit, four-year-old Pakistani boy Abdullah Asad, said confidently: "I know he can do it. He is Spiderman."
Many had seen Robert climb the National Bank of Abu Dhabi building in 2003, but they still returned to watch his latest extraordinary performance.
