Finland's President Tarja Halonen and Jordan's King Abdullah II called for an unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East and an immediate cessation of hostilities in Lebanon after their talk in Finland's capital of Helsinki on Wednesday.

The Finnish president stressed that an immediate end of violence in southern Lebanon would safeguard the lives of civilians.

Halonen added that she hoped the UN Security Council could reach a resolution on the Lebanon crisis.

King Abdullah II met with Finnish President Halonen on a brief visit to Finland on Wednesday.

The two leaders discussed the tense situation in the Middle East and the roles of the UN and the European Union in seeking a peaceful resolution. The main topic in the discussions was how to achieve a ceasefire in the Middle East.