Guyana recognizes Palestinian state

Guyana has become the sixth Latin American country to recognize an independent Palestinian state. "It is Guyana's hope that the increasing recognition of the state of Palestine will contribute to a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the creation of lasting peace and stability in the region," the foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday. Guyana's decision, the statement said, "is in keeping with Guyana's long-standing and unwavering solidarity with, and commitment to, the just and legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine for the exercise of their right to self-determination and to achieve a homeland of their own, independent, free, prosperous and at peace." Guyana joins Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Ecuador in recognizing Palestine as an independent state within the borders that existed before Israel captured the West Bank, including east Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war. The Palestinians leadership has increasingly lobbied nations for recognition as direct talks with Israel have stalled over issues including Jewish settlements on Palestinian land, border demarcation and the status of Jerusalem.