United Arab Emirates and Iraq to launch sea line next October

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iraq will launch next October a maritime line for the transport of passengers between the two states.

UAE officials said they received authorization from the UN sanctions committee and affirmed that the first ferry-boat will leave Dubai during the first week of October heading for the Iraqi port of "Oum Qasr."

The ferry-boat has a capacity of 600 - 800 passengers and some 220 vehicles. The UAE, which has called several times for lifting the UN embargo imposed on Iraq since 1991, has sent Iraq during the past three years over $6 million in humanitarian assistance.