EU leaders to choose first full-time president

European Union leaders are preparing to meet in Brussels. They will appoint their first full-time president and foreign affairs high representative.

The EU is preparing to usher in its first full-time leader under a rotating presidency system. The new president's term will span two and a half years. The president's main responsibilities include presiding over EU summits and representing the union on the world stage.

Leaders from the 27 EU member nations remain divided over which candidates to choose. Negotiations are expected to last into the night.

EU diplomats say the president is likely to be little known outside Europe and a lightweight in global terms.

Graphic with photos of the leading candidates for EU president and  information on the job and nomination procedure. (AFP/Graphic)

Janis Emmanouilidis, Senior Policy Analysts, said, "It has become clear that the heads of state of government don't want strong political figures -- especially when it comes to the president of European Council."

Belgian Prime Minister, Herman Van Rompuy, has emerged as a front-runner for the top job.

Also in the running is a Dutch Prime Minister, former Latvian president, and Luxembourg's Prime Minister.

Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, could be a surprise appointment. He has neither entered the election race, nor ruled himself out.