World leaders promise quake assistance

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has sent his "deepest condolences" to China, following Wednesday's strong earthquake.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has also expressed condolences, promising help from the E.U. Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama conveyed his sympathies for the victims, and says his country is ready to help with China's reconstruction efforts. Pakistan, Russia, France, Chad, Algeria, Portugal, and Turkey have all sent similar messages.