LUSAKA, Aug 25: Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa and his Malawian counterpart launched a long-delayed joint rail project Saturday that is expected to help boost trade in southern Africa, state radio said.

Mwanawasa said the venture -- which will connect his landlocked nation to the coast of Mozambique through Malawi -- will become the shortest and cheapest mode of transport for Zambia.—AFP