Permits to climb Ararat Mountain will from now on be issued by the Agra province administration instead of Turkey's General Staff.

As the director of Nature Conservation and National Parks, Yasar Dostbil stated, ''the procedure of permit giving has been facilitated. To receive the permit, Turkish citizens may address us directly; foreigners must get permits through their respective embassies. Agra administration will be responsible for provision of safety measures,'' Hurriyet reported.

Agri-dag (White Mountain) is Turkish name for Ararat.