Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy was unanimously elected Thursday as the president of the European Union. He will be the 27-nation body's first full-time president after the post rotated for years on a monthly basis.

Baroness Catherine Ashton, Britain's Trade Commissioner in the EU, was named foreign policy chief. She will replace Javier Solana, who said he will continue to make a contribution in the field.

The two assume their posts on December 1st. They have limited international diplomatic experience.

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