Belgium premier is new EU president
EU leaders have opted for little-known compromise candidate Belgian Premier Herman Van Rompuy to become the bloc's first full-time president, diplomats have said.
The 27 leaders also agreed to appoint Britain's EU commissioner Baroness Ashton as the bloc's new foreign policy chief, replacing Spaniard Javier Solana.
Baroness Ashton has been the EU's trade commissioner since last year.
The choice of Van Rompuy signalled the leaders were not eager to have a high-profile personality represent the EU abroad.
The two new posts are intended to bolster the EU's influence overseas.
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