Brazil backs Palestinian calls of stoping Jewish settlements' construction

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has backed his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas' call for Israel to stop building new Jewish settlements.

During their meeting in the northeastern Brazilian city of Salvador, Silva said the expansion of settlements in Palestinian areas should be frozen, and Palestinian borders for an independent state in future be guaranteed. Silva's remarks came after Israel approved a plan to build nine hundred new homes in east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians claim to be part of their future capital.

Abbas is scheduled to continue his South American tour by visiting Chile and Argentina. He is seeking support in the region for the recognition of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) and his Brazilian counterpart  Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wave in Salvador November 20, 2009. Abbas  is on a three-day official visit in Brazil. Brazil's President Luiz  Inacio Lula da Silva has backed his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud  Abbas' call for Israel to stop building new Jewish settlements. REUTERS/Thiago Teixeira