Brussels, 20/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - Matti Vanhanen, President of the European Council, announced on Thursday that the EU was not only in favour of deploying an international UN force in Lebanon but was also ready to support it actively. “We should support the UN force (…). The EU stands ready to help a strong international presence in Southern Lebanon approved by the UN Security Council. But all parties in the conflict must first commit to a ceasefire”, Mr Vanhanen said in a statement to the press alongside President Barroso. “The international community is taking a very firm common position”, he went on to add, saying: “The violence must stop, rocket attacks must stop, the captured soldiers must be released. Israel has the right to defend itself but its reactions must be proportionate”. Mr Barroso also stressed the Commission's full support to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. In the meantime, the Commission is stepping up humanitarian aid, with new aid of €10 million (see related article), Mr Barroso said, asserting he had received a “very dramatic” telephone call from the Lebanese prime minister, Fouad Siniora, regarding his country's humanitarian situation.