Al Hayat

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Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said that the world would be faced with a serious moral dilemma if it allows the establishment of a Southern Sudanese state without recognizing "the right of the Palestinian people to an independent state," in an interview with London-based Arabic-language newspaperon Wednesday.The international community cannot support the rights of one people and ignore those of another, he added. "It [the world] will be embarrassed at the end of this summer if it recognizes a Southern Sudanese state and not a Palestinian one."How many state institutions that operate under the rule of law are there in Southern Sudan, he asked, "while in Palestine under the occupation, our institutions and governance live up to regional and even international standards."Referring to what has become commonly known as the Fayyad Plan, he said the Palestinian Authority is continuing to work towards the goal of building state institutions by the end of the year, adding that "we don't have any hesitation or alternative plans."In light of Hamas' refusal to participate in - or even allow - the PA's recently announced elections, the Palestinian leader said that even in the absence of failed reconciliation efforts between rival Fatah and Hamas, Hamas should seriously consider partaking in the polls as elections can end divisions.The Fayyad Plan and recently announced elections follow a recent wave of Palestinian state recognitions coming out of South America that the Palestinian Authority welcomes and Israel calls a "violation of the interim agreement signed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority in 1995, which established that the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip will be discussed and solved through negotiations." Brazil made the first declaration, recognizing the Palestinian state within 1967 borders, in December 2010. Since then, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile followed suit.Columbia, in contrast, which has close ties to the United States and large military contracts with Israel, has said it will not recognize the Palestinian state until "there is a peace agreement with Israel."