Sweden's capital rings with Iraqi celebrations

STOCKHOLM, July 29 (Reuters) Members of Europe's largest Iraqi population celebrated their team's Asia Cup victory over Saudi Arabia today by honking their car horns and cheering in the centre of the Swedish capital.

Housewife Donna Munem, 26, sported a miniature rendition of an Iraqi flag on her cheek and waved a full-sized version at drivers who cruised past on one of the city centre's main thoroughfares.

''It's a great moment because of the problems in my country, we just need a little bit good so we can be happy,'' Munem said with an ear-to-ear grin.

She said everyone was very proud of the team and appreciated the sense of pride they had brought to Iraqis everywhere.

''They are great. They are great. We just love them all.'' Traffic slowed to a crawl and police worked to keep the stream moving as drivers including Safar Nasser stopped their vehicles in the middle of the road and got out to cheer.

Celebrating Iraqis handed out chocolates to passersby while many Swedish drivers expressed their congratulations by leaning on their horns as well.

''I am very glad,'' said 35-year-old Nasser as he danced beside his car with baby Yusef. ''He is very glad too.'' Sweden's large Iraqi population has been in the spotlight recently as the country asks other European Union members to shoulder more of the responsibility for sheltering those fleeing almost daily violence in their homeland.

Some 8,951 Iraqis came to the Nordic nation last year, about 45 percent of the total who fled to Europe as a whole.

The appeal of Sweden, whose population is just 9 million, lies in its relative openness to refugees and an established Iraqi community of more than 82,000.

Reuters BJR VP0255