Obama to visit Louisiana coast

US President Barack Obama is to visit the Louisiana coast today to view first-hand the damage wrought by what is said to be the largest oil spill in US history.



BP is continuing to pump heavy mud into the damaged well in the Gulf of Mexico as part of the high-risk top kill procedure to block the flow of oil.



BP's chief executive Tony Hayward says the outcome would not be clear for another 48 hours.



Mr. Obama's trip will be his second to the Gulf since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded on April 20, killing 11 workers.



Correspondents say he will tour affected areas to try to reassure Americans he remains in charge of the clean-up operation.