Iraq on Saturday unveiled its ambitious $17 billion road and rail infrastructure project linking Europe, West Asia (Middle East), and Asia, and presented itself as the key regional transportation hub connecting the three continents.

The project, dubbed the “Route of Development”, once completed will link the Grand Faw Port in the oil-rich south of Iraq to the Turkish border in the north.

The country hopes that this rail and road network would draw traffic from the users of Egypt's Suez Canal and eventually replace it as the key transportation hub.

The announcement was made by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani during a conference with transport ministry representatives from Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

"We see this project as a pillar of a sustainable non-oil economy, a link that serves Iraq's neighbours and the region, and a contribution to economic integration efforts," Sudani said, according to AFP news agency.

The project entails high-speed trains moving both goods and passengers at up to 300km per hour, and reconstructing the country's road network.&nbsp;

<h2>Female Iraqi Kurdish bodybuilder Shylan Kamal breaking down barriers</h2>

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The Iraqi parliament's transport committee said that though further discussions are required, other countries are welcome to “to carry out part of the project,” adding that it could be completed in "three to five years".

"The Route of Development will boost interdependence between the countries of the region," Turkey's ambassador to Baghdad Ali Riza Guney said, without elaborating on what role his country would play in the project.

<h2>Work has already begun</h2>

According to local media reports, work is already underway on the commercial Grand Faw Port—a new sea port that lies on the northern tip of the Gulf.

The Islamic country hopes that its ambitious project could lift up its infrastructure that has been ravaged by decades of conflict, including the&nbsp;US invasion and subsequent war&nbsp;in 2003, and the fight against the&nbsp;Islamic State group, which seized almost a third of the country before being beaten back by late 2017.

In recent years, Iraq has seen a dip in security measures and direct armed confrontations and bombings, but political confrontation and uncertainty has slowed the reconstruction process.

Baghdad has been looking to revive its transport sector—a key contributor its GDP—and is the latest in other planned international mega-projects, including China's "Belt and Road Initiative" announced in 2013 by its President Xi Jinping.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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Iraq on Saturday unveiled its ambitious $17 billion road and rail infrastructure project linking Europe, West Asia (Middle East), and Asia, and presented itself as the key regional transportation hub connecting the three continents.

Iraq on Saturday unveiled its ambitious $17 billion road and rail infrastructure project linking Europe, West Asia (Middle East), and Asia, and presented itself as the key regional transportation hub connecting the three continents. The project, dubbed the “Route of Development”, once completed will link the Grand Faw Port in the oil-rich south of Iraq to the Turkish border in the north. The country hopes that this rail and road network would draw traffic from the users of Egypt's Suez Canal and eventually replace it as the key transportation hub. The announcement was made by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani during a conference with transport ministry representatives from Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. "We see this project as a pillar of a sustainable non-oil economy, a link that serves Iraq's neighbours and the region, and a contribution to economic integration efforts," Sudani said, according to AFP news agency. The project entails high-speed trains moving both goods and passengers at up to 300km per hour, and reconstructing the country's road network. Female Iraqi Kurdish bodybuilder Shylan Kamal breaking down barriers The Iraqi parliament's transport committee said that though further discussions are required, other countries are welcome to “to carry out part of the project,” adding that it could be completed in "three to five years". "The Route of Development will boost interdependence between the countries of the region," Turkey's ambassador to Baghdad Ali Riza Guney said, without elaborating on what role his country would play in the project. Work has already begun According to local media reports, work is already underway on the commercial Grand Faw Port—a new sea port that lies on the northern tip of the Gulf. The Islamic country hopes that its ambitious project could lift up its infrastructure that has been ravaged by decades of conflict, including the US invasion and subsequent war in 2003, and the fight against the Islamic State group, which seized almost a third of the country before being beaten back by late 2017. In recent years, Iraq has seen a dip in security measures and direct armed confrontations and bombings, but political confrontation and uncertainty has slowed the reconstruction process. Baghdad has been looking to revive its transport sector—a key contributor its GDP—and is the latest in other planned international mega-projects, including China's "Belt and Road Initiative" announced in 2013 by its President Xi Jinping. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Iraq unveils ambitious $17bn infra project, pits itself as key transport hub linking Europe to Asia

US President Donald Trump hosted Iraqi PM Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at the White House. The prime minister's visit aims to reboot ties that pending since the US operation against Qasem Soleimani on Iraqi soil earlier this year. Watch report.

Iraqi PM meets Donald Trump: US troops deployed to help Iraqi people, says Trump | World News

Thousands took to the streets in Iraq's capital and across the south Sunday to protest against Iran's kingmaking influence as the latest deadline for choosing a new prime minister loomed.

Anti-government rallies have rocked Baghdad and the Shiite-majority south since October 1, with demonstrators calling for a complete overhaul of a regime they deem corrupt, inefficient and overly beholden to Tehran.

"The revolution continues!" shouted one demonstrator at a protest encampment in central Diwaniyah. &nbsp;

Protesters blocked off public buildings one by one in the southern Iraqi city, and put up banners reading "The country is under construction -- please excuse the disruption".

Sunday marks the latest deadline -- already pushed back twice by President Barham Saleh -- for parliament to choose a new premier to replace Adel Abdel Mahdi, who tendered his administration's resignation last month.&nbsp;

Officials say Iran wants to install Qusay al-Suhail, who served as higher education minister in the government of Abdel Mahdi.

"But this is exactly what we oppose -- Iranian control over our country," said 24-year-old student Houeida, speaking to AFP in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the protests which was once again abuzz with the youthful energy of thousands.

The protesters categorically reject Suhail's candidacy, along with anyone from the wider political establishment that has been in place since dictator Saddam Hussein was deposed in 2003.&nbsp;

"Hundreds of martyrs have fallen and they are still not listening to our claims", said 21-year-old student Mouataz, in Tahrir Square.

"We want a prime minister with integrity, but they bring back a corrupt man in their image who they will allow to continue robbing us," he added.

'Iraq must be Iraqi again'

In a bid to secure the necessary parliamentary majority for a new premier, Shiite powerhouse Iran enlisted the services of a Lebanese Hezbollah official to negotiate with Sunni and Kurdish parties.

The post of prime minister is by convention held by a Shiite in Iraq's post-2003 political system.

In a Twitter plea to Saleh, one opposition Sunni lawmaker called Sunday for the president to "violate the constitution rather than plunge the country into bloody chaos by choosing a figure people have already rejected".

Some in parliament -- the most fragmented in Iraq's history -- argue that Saleh should use Article 81 of the Constitution, which authorises the president to step in as prime minister himself if there is no agreement among lawmakers on a candidate.

In a sign of the protesters' unprecedented influence, top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, who is said to have made and unmade every premier in the post Saddam era, has been notably absent from the manoeuvrings this time around.

The protest movement has been hit by intimidation, including assassinations perpetrated by militias, according to the UN.

Around 460 people have been killed since October 1, and some 25,000 have been wounded.

Yet the protesters appeared to regain some confidence on Sunday.&nbsp;

Overnight, demonstrators in Diwaniyah and Basra, another southern city, had declared a "general strike".&nbsp;

They burnt tyres to block roads linking southern cities to Baghdad, an AFP correspondent said.&nbsp;

The road to Umm Qasr port -- vital for imports -- near Basra was among those blocked. &nbsp;

In Karbala and Najaf, two Shiite holy cities, striking students closed schools and gathered in their thousands, AFP correspondents said. &nbsp;

In Nasiriyah, protesters blocked bridges and several roads while all public buildings remained closed.

Protesters are demanding the fall of Saleh and parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbussi, accusing them of procrastinating.&nbsp;

"Iraq must become Iraqi again, and if the president does not help us, we will force him out too," asserted student Houeida, buoyed by the renewed momentum in Tahrir Square.

&nbsp;

Thousands took to the streets in Iraq's capital and across the south Sunday to protest against Iran's kingmaking influence as the latest deadline for choosing a new prime minister loomed.

Thousands took to the streets in Iraq's capital and across the south Sunday to protest against Iran's kingmaking influence as the latest deadline for choosing a new prime minister loomed. Anti-government rallies have rocked Baghdad and the Shiite-majority south since October 1, with demonstrators calling for a complete overhaul of a regime they deem corrupt, inefficient and overly beholden to Tehran. "The revolution continues!" shouted one demonstrator at a protest encampment in central Diwaniyah. Protesters blocked off public buildings one by one in the southern Iraqi city, and put up banners reading "The country is under construction -- please excuse the disruption". Sunday marks the latest deadline -- already pushed back twice by President Barham Saleh -- for parliament to choose a new premier to replace Adel Abdel Mahdi, who tendered his administration's resignation last month. Officials say Iran wants to install Qusay al-Suhail, who served as higher education minister in the government of Abdel Mahdi. "But this is exactly what we oppose -- Iranian control over our country," said 24-year-old student Houeida, speaking to AFP in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the protests which was once again abuzz with the youthful energy of thousands. The protesters categorically reject Suhail's candidacy, along with anyone from the wider political establishment that has been in place since dictator Saddam Hussein was deposed in 2003. "Hundreds of martyrs have fallen and they are still not listening to our claims", said 21-year-old student Mouataz, in Tahrir Square. "We want a prime minister with integrity, but they bring back a corrupt man in their image who they will allow to continue robbing us," he added. 'Iraq must be Iraqi again' In a bid to secure the necessary parliamentary majority for a new premier, Shiite powerhouse Iran enlisted the services of a Lebanese Hezbollah official to negotiate with Sunni and Kurdish parties. The post of prime minister is by convention held by a Shiite in Iraq's post-2003 political system. In a Twitter plea to Saleh, one opposition Sunni lawmaker called Sunday for the president to "violate the constitution rather than plunge the country into bloody chaos by choosing a figure people have already rejected". Some in parliament -- the most fragmented in Iraq's history -- argue that Saleh should use Article 81 of the Constitution, which authorises the president to step in as prime minister himself if there is no agreement among lawmakers on a candidate. In a sign of the protesters' unprecedented influence, top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, who is said to have made and unmade every premier in the post Saddam era, has been notably absent from the manoeuvrings this time around. The protest movement has been hit by intimidation, including assassinations perpetrated by militias, according to the UN. Around 460 people have been killed since October 1, and some 25,000 have been wounded. Yet the protesters appeared to regain some confidence on Sunday. Overnight, demonstrators in Diwaniyah and Basra, another southern city, had declared a "general strike". They burnt tyres to block roads linking southern cities to Baghdad, an AFP correspondent said. The road to Umm Qasr port -- vital for imports -- near Basra was among those blocked. In Karbala and Najaf, two Shiite holy cities, striking students closed schools and gathered in their thousands, AFP correspondents said. In Nasiriyah, protesters blocked bridges and several roads while all public buildings remained closed. Protesters are demanding the fall of Saleh and parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbussi, accusing them of procrastinating. "Iraq must become Iraqi again, and if the president does not help us, we will force him out too," asserted student Houeida, buoyed by the renewed momentum in Tahrir Square.

Thousands protest in Iraq as deadline for new PM looms

Iraqi PM orders Iran-allied militias to be reined in. Decree aimed at curbing autonomy of shi'ite militants. This is the move to fully integrate militias into Iraqi forces. Local militias have time till 31 July to be integrated. Watch this video to know more.

Iraq Alarmed By Iran Uranium Enrichment

Iraq&#39;s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi postponed a Saudi Arabia to avoid taking sides in the rift between the kingdom and Qatar, Iraqi officials said on Thursday.

Wednesday&#39;s planned visit was postponed &quot;so that it would not be considered as supporting one side against the other&quot;, Jabbar al-Abadi, a lawmaker close to the prime minister, told Reuters.

Qatar is facing a severe economic and diplomatic boycott by Saudi Arabia and its regional allies who cut ties last week, in the worst rift among Gulf Arab states in years. They accuse Qatar of funding terrorism, fomenting regional unrest and cosying up to their enemy Iran, all of which Qatar denies.

Abadi&#39;s visit to Saudi Arabia was to foster reconciliation between the Sunni Muslim kingdom and majority Shi&#39;ite Iraq - and help heal deep and bitter divisions between Iraq&#39;s Shi&#39;ites and Sunnis.

Abadi&#39;s office confirmed that the visit, during which Abadi was to meet with Saudi King Salman, was postponed, possibly to next week, without giving a reason.

Wednesday's planned visit was postponed "so that it would not be considered as supporting one side against the other", Jabbar al-Abadi, a lawmaker close to the prime minister said

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi postponed a Saudi Arabia to avoid taking sides in the rift between the kingdom and Qatar, Iraqi officials said on Thursday. Wednesday's planned visit was postponed "so that it would not be considered as supporting one side against the other", Jabbar al-Abadi, a lawmaker close to the prime minister, told Reuters. Qatar is facing a severe economic and diplomatic boycott by Saudi Arabia and its regional allies who cut ties last week, in the worst rift among Gulf Arab states in years. They accuse Qatar of funding terrorism, fomenting regional unrest and cosying up to their enemy Iran, all of which Qatar denies. Abadi's visit to Saudi Arabia was to foster reconciliation between the Sunni Muslim kingdom and majority Shi'ite Iraq - and help heal deep and bitter divisions between Iraq's Shi'ites and Sunnis. Abadi's office confirmed that the visit, during which Abadi was to meet with Saudi King Salman, was postponed, possibly to next week, without giving a reason.

Iraqi PM Abadi postpones visit to Saudi amid Gulf rift

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Iraq unveils ambitious $17bn infra project, pits itself as key transport hub linking Europe to Asia

Iraqi PM meets Donald Trump: US troops deployed to help Iraqi people, says Trump | World News

Thousands protest in Iraq as deadline for new PM looms

Iraq Alarmed By Iran Uranium Enrichment

Iraqi PM Abadi postpones visit to Saudi amid Gulf rift