ANKARA - President Abdullah Gul went to Anitkabir (Ataturk's Mausoleum) to bow in front of Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkey, for the first time as President, on Tuesday.
President Gul laid a wreath on the mausoleum, and observed a minute of silence.
Gul signed Anitkabir's special book and wrote that he took over the office as the 11th president of Turkey.
"I have set out with determination to glorify Republic of Turkey that you established by overcoming all obstacles, preserve indivisible unity of our country, strengthen our national unity and integrity, and consolidate natures of our republic as democratic, secular and social state of law," Gul wrote.