Ramallah, March 17, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday said he supported the Palestinian struggle for independence and for the creation of a Palestinian state.
"I dream of an independent and free Palestine living in peace in the Middle East," Silva said during a visit to Ramallah.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas demanded that Israel freeze all settlement construction - including in East Jerusalem.
"While the Palestinians had implemented their obligations under interim agreements, Israel should do the same," Abbas told a news conference in Ramallah with the visiting Brazilian leader.
The Brazilian leader, who is visiting Israel and the Palestinian territories this week, said he would like to play a bigger role in Mideast diplomacy.
Silva visited the grave of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and placed a wreath on his tomb.
.jpg)
