In a nation used to mourning, even celebrations prove to be deadly

DEFYING orders from authorities, revellers fired celebratory gunshots and poured into the streets after Iraq beat Saudi Arabia to clinch their first Asian Cup soccer championship last night.

Mosques broadcast calls for an end to the shooting, which killed at least four people and wounded 17. Security forces enforced a vehicle ban in an effort to prevent a repeat of car bombings that killed dozens celebrating Iraq’s progress to the finals on Wednesday.

The Iraqi team, known as the Lions of the Two Rivers beat three-time champions Saudi Arabia 1-0 in their first appearance in the Asian Cup final.