Turkish President Gül to visit Van

Turkey's president will visit the quake-hit eastern province of Van on Friday. President Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday that he would visit Van on Friday. "I am sure that authorized state organs have taken necessary steps, and I have given some instructions," Gul told reporters during a reception in Ankara. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Van on Sunday, killing at least 481 people and wounding 1,650 others.