Baghdad , The Ministry of Transport announced that it had reached a preliminary agreement with the Iranian side to transport passengers through Shatt al-Arab. It said in a statement that "a joint meeting was held with representatives of ports in the Islamic Republic of Iran, to activate transporting of passengers between the two sides through Shatt al-Arab." The statement quoted the Director of the General Company for Maritime Transport, Chief Marine Engineer, Ahmed Jassim Al-Assadi, as saying, 'This line is necessary to facilitate the transportation of travelers between the two countries, especially during the seasons of religious occasions, to reduce the crowding occurring at land ports.' He pointed out that "the company has a dock ready for the traveler's comfort," stressing that "the boats of both countries are modern and secure for transporting passengers and are equipped with rescue means." Al-Assadi explained that 'the transportation will be between the Iranian ports of Khorramshahr and Al-Ashar p ier on the banks of Shatt Al-Arab due to the ease of transportation by boats currently available, which are the best and fastest to stimulate the river taxi movement with its tourism and economic advantages.' Source: National Iraqi News Agency