Europe endorses Brexit deal and urges UK MPs to back it

 European Union leers endorsed a hard-fought Brexit deal with Britain on Thursday, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces an uphill battle getting it through British parliament. "It looks like we are very close to final stretch," EU Council President Donald Tusk told reporters after or 27 leers approved accord.

But despite optimism from Johnson, British opposition parties and some of prime minister's own allies in House of Commons were quick to warn y would t support it when it goes to a vote in a special sitting on Saturday. If deal is defeated, prime minister is legally obliged to ask EU leers to postpone Brexit for a third time -- breaking his vow to le Britain out on October 31.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned such a rejection would create an "extremely complicated situation", while Tusk said that if it happened he would consult member states on how to respond. Johnson insisted he was "very confident" MPs would back deal, but immediate response from opposition and even partners in a supporting party were hostile.

Juncker sought to focus MPs' minds, saying that Brussels can see need for ar delay to painful divorce. "We have a deal, and this deal means re is need for any kind of prolongation," he told reporters -- although decision will be for EU leers.

Asked wher y h a mess for 48 percent of British voters who backed staying in EU in June 2016 Brexit referendum, Juncker simply said: "I would like to say to 48 that y were right." And Tusk said: "I regret that it was 48 and t 52." But despite ir misgivings, both men argued that deal would protect rights of remaining EU citizens and integrity of bloc's single market.

Johnson, a leer of "leave" campaign in 2016 who has vowed to walk away from EU at end of this month come what may, said he h secured a "great new deal that takes back control".

Looking worn and tired after days of intense politicking, Johnson urged MPs "to come toger to get Brexit done, to get this excellent deal over line and to deliver Brexit without any more delay." compromise reached on Thursday is a personal victory for Johnson, who was told repeatedly by EU leers that y were t open to reworking a deal initially inked last year.

But re were immediate signs Commons -- which rejected previous divorce text three times -- might again refuse to play ball. rrn Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up Johnson's Conservatives, said it was "unable to support se proposals". main opposition Labour, Scottish National and Liberal Democrat parties also spoke out against it.

ir response sent pound sinking again after it h earlier risen to five-month peaks on news of deal. draft agreement was forged after weeks of tense negotiations focused on altering arrangements to keep open border between British rrn Ireland and EU member Ireland.

All sides agree y do t want infrastructure on frontier, to avoid exacerbating tensions over Britain's control of rrn Ireland that caused deces of dely violence up until 1990s. new plan keeps United Kingdom as a single customs territory, allowing it to strike international tre deals, but requiring London to levy EU tariffs on certain goods passing through rrn Ireland.

rrn Ireland would also follow EU's rules on agricultural, food and industrial goods. "re will be border on island of Ireland and (EU's) single market will be protected," Juncker said. But it would involve some customs and tax checks between rrn Ireland and mainland Britain, and DUP warned plans "undermine integrity of union".

rrn Ireland's regional assembly will be given a vote every four years on wher to maintain arrangements, but DUP warned that did t go far eugh. Johnson has assured his European counterparts that he can get deal through parliament, and French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "reasonably confident" deal could be ratified.

A European official who was present when Johnson briefed leers said that around six of m asked questions, and all of m were about his domestic political situation.
But Johnson has majority among MPs, and his threat to leave EU with or without a deal this month has exacerbated existing divisions in parliament.