World leaders, markets laud hard-won euro deal | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Markets soared and world leaders praised a landmark deal aimed at stemming the eurozone debt crisis on Thursday, as questions about the details of the plan were swept aside by a wave of relief.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks on during a press conference held at the end of a Eurozone summit in Brussels. Europe's ground-breaking deal to save its single currency sent markets soaring and bolstered the euro as analysts queried whether the masterplan to put paid to the debt crisis would stand the test of time.

President Barack Obama led international praise for the deal -- reached after marathon EU talks in Brussels -- welcoming what he called "important decisions" that would "lay a critical foundation for a comprehensive solution to the eurozone crisis."