By NNN-KUNA
United Nations : Shocked and saddened, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the two bomb attacks that killed more than 50 innocent civilians who were celebrating an "inspiring victory" by the Iraq national football team in the Asia Cup, describing it as a "despicable act."
"The secretary-general condemns this particularly reprehensible act which came at a moment when all of Iraq had joined together to celebrate the success of their nation," deputy spokesperson Marie Okabe told the daily press briefing Thursday.
The secretary-general, a South Korean national, expressed hope that the people of Iraq will be "undeterred by this despicable act and will come together in the spirit of national unity symbolised by their national football team," she added.
Iraq beat South Korea 4-3 in a close-fought game in Malaysia Wednesday.