Nicolas Sarkozy has withdrawn his backing of Tony Blair to become the first president of the European Union, senior sources have told the BBC.

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It is thought he feels EU opposition to the former UK prime minister is too strong because he backed the Iraq war.

The role, to be created under the new EU reform treaty, would replace the six-month rotating presidencies.

Sources also indicated that Mr Sarkozy felt Mr Blair was not right for the role because Britain has failed to adopt the European single currency and the Schengen zone of passport-free travel.

(BBC)

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