Belgium's Van Rompuy chosen EU president

After a drawn-out night of bickering in Brussels, EU leaders have finally opted for Belgian Premier Herman Van Rompuy to become the 27-nation bloc's first full-time president.

he breakthrough came after the UK abandoned the candidacy of former Prime Minister Tony Blair in the face of widespread opposition.

The full-time presidency was conceived as a way to maintain the continuity of work on EU affairs, and to strengthen the EU and increase its influence on the international stage by presenting a unified front.

As president, Van Rompuy will be responsible for organizing annual EU summits, mediating disputes between member states, and acting as the EU's spokesman. Van Rompuy on Thursday promised to listen to all EU members. He said employment and the environment are urgent concerns for the continent.

Herman Van Rompuy, EU President, said, "We are living through exceptionally difficult times. The financial crisis and its dramatic impact on employment and budgets, the climate crisis which threaten our very survival. A period of anxiety, uncertainty and lack of confidence. Yet these problems can be overcome by a joint effort between our countries."

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