Model Naomi Campbell in Holy Land for birthday

BETHLEHEM, The West Bank - The Associated Press

British top model Naomi Campbell walks the runway during a fashion shown at the 20th Life Ball in front of the city hall in Vienna. AP photo

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has visited the holy West Bank town of Bethlehem on her birthday.

Campbell, wearing a white shirt and black sunglasses, was accompanied by friends, Palestinian guards and her own private security detail, some wearing black-and-white checkered Palestinian scarves.

Palestinian security officials say she lit candles in the Church of the Nativity, built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born.

A worker at an adjacent restaurant said Campbell celebrated her birthday with a traditional Palestinian meal of lamb and rice.

She requested anonymity because Palestinian officials threatened to punish people speaking to reporters.

Campbell, who turned 42 today, this week also visited the Western Wall, a key Jewish holy site in Jerusalem's Old City.