Former prime minister Tony Blair is in line to become Europe's first president within weeks if voters pass an EU reform treaty, a newspaper reported on Friday, quoting unnamed sources.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is supporting Blair and German Chancellor Angela Merkel has softened her opposition, according to The Times.

Blair could be ushered into the European Union's top post at a summit on October 29 if the Lisbon Treaty passes, the London-based newspaper said.

Nations currently preside over the EU, holding a rotating presidency for six months at a time, but under the Lisbon Treaty, a single president will be chosen. The treaty has been ratified by 24 of the 27 member states, with the signatures of the Polish and Czech presidents needed for full ratification.

Since stepping down as prime minister in June 2007, Blair has been the envoy for the Middle East Quartet -- comprising the EU, Russia, the United Nations and the United States -- which aims to mediate between Israel and the Palestinians.