Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Palestinians Lay Cornerstone for Embassy in Brazil VOA News 31 December 2010 The President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, presides over a ceremony to lay the cornerstone for a Palestine Embassy in Brasilia, 31 Dec 2010 Photo: AFP The President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, presides over a ceremony to lay the cornerstone for a Palestine Embassy in Brasilia, 31 Dec 2010 Construction on the first Palestinian embassy in a Western nation is officially underway. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas laid the cornerstone for a Palestinian embassy in the Brazilian capital Friday, during a ceremony that also featured the release of doves to symbolize peace. Mr. Abbas thanked officials in Brasilia for their support of the Palestinian people, and expressed hope that more South American countries will follow Brazil's lead. [Jerusalem Correspondent Luis Ramirez speaks with VOA's David Byrd about the state of Middle East peace negotiations:] Brazil announced earlier this month it would recognize an independent Palestinian state based on borders that were in place before the 1967 Mideast war. Argentina, Bolivia and Ecuador have also said they would recognize Palestinian statehood. Both the United States and Israel have been critical of the movement to recognize a Palestinian state.  Both Israel and the U.S. say Palestinian statehood must be the result of a negotiated peace deal. Mr. Abbas is scheduled to attend Saturday's inauguration of Brazil's president-elect, Dilma Rousseff. On Thursday, he met with Arab leaders in the capital, Brasilia.  The WAFA news agency says the officials discussed issues that include the stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Direct talks broke down after an Israeli settlement construction moratorium expired in September.  Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. .