BRUSSELS: A stunned European Union vowed to remain united on Friday despite Britain voting to leave, as fears grew that a "chain reaction" of further referendums could tear the bloc apart.
As Brussels, Paris and Berlin woke up to the grim news, leaders warned of a difficult divorce in a sign that Britain will win few concessions in negotiating life outside the circle of the other 27 members of the bloc.
"Today on behalf of the 27 leaders, I can say that we are determined to keep our unity as 27," EU President Donald Tusk told reporters in Brussels in the first official reaction to the vote.
With global markets in turmoil, Tusk -- who had earlier warned that a Leave vote could "end Western political civilisation" -- said it was "a historic moment but for sure not a moment for hysterical reactions."
Although the EU had recently gone through "the most difficult" years in its 60-year history, it was worth remembering that "what does not kill you makes you stronger," he said.
But the biggest fear in capitals across the continent was of contagion, with immediate calls by far-right leaders in France and the Netherlands for their countries to hold their own votes on EU membership.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said the British result was a "victory for freedom" and there should be referendums across Europe, while Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders said "the Dutch people deserve a referendum as well."
European Parliament President Martin Schulz said he was speaking to Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel to avoid a "chain reaction" of eurosceptic success across Europe.
"The chain reaction that the eurosceptics are celebrating everywhere will absolutely not happen," he told Germany's ZDF television.
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