Iraq’s Ministry of Transport on Monday (May 19th) announced the entry into service of a passenger and cargo railway line linking Baghdad and Basra. Construction on the high-speed rail line had finished in March. The new line links Basra’s sea ports to central Baghdad, passing through various cities en route, said Abdullah Sajet, director-general of the southern region of Iraq’s railways company. A modern, high-speed train featuring sleeping compartments and restaurants has been purchased, he said at a Monday press conference.