THE SURRENDER OF NORIEGA : Surrender Sets Off Joyful Party in Streets of Capital : Reaction: ‘It’s over! It’s over!’ residents shout. Horn-honking, pot-clanging celebration erupts in Panama City.

Hundreds of laughing, cheering Panamanians poured into the streets of Panama City on Wednesday night, celebrating the news that former strongman Manuel A. Noriega had handed himself over to the United States.

“We are relieved to be rid of this criminal. The important thing was that he should leave our national territory. It’s a great moment,” President Guillermo Endara said. “We have to feel happy. God has blessed us in these last few days.”

Sheer jubilation gripped the capital of 1 million residents just moments after radio and television announced that the former strongman had abandoned his Vatican embassy sanctuary after a 10-day siege.

Panamanian television broke into its normal programming to broadcast a news flash that Noriega had turned himself in.

Ignoring the approaching 11 p.m. curfew imposed after thousands of American troops invaded Panama on Dec. 20 to overthrow Noriega and install a new government, residents of the capital set off fireworks and opened bottles to toast Noriega’s departure.

“Is it official? Is he really gone?” many disbelievers asked reporters.

Panamanians spilled into the streets, laughing, banging pots and pans and applauding. Hundreds converged on Avenida Balboa, where the Vatican mission was framed in a burst of fireworks.

“It’s over! It’s over!” people shouted, some screaming themselves hoarse.

“Thank God. Panama can now feel like a free country. I feel free now,” said 20-year-old Moises Rios.