EU leaders agree new treaty deal

The treaty will be formally signed by European leaders in mid-December

European Union leaders have reached a deal on a landmark treaty to reform the 27-member bloc, officials say.
The agreement in Lisbon was sealed shortly after midnight after objections from Italy and Poland were overcome.

The treaty is designed to replace the European Constitution that was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005 and will be formally signed on 13 December.

It includes the creation of a new longer-term president of the European Council and an EU foreign policy chief.

If what will become known as the Treaty of Lisbon is ratified by all member states, it will come into force in 2009.