Israeli President Shimon Peres welcomed Brazil to peace negotiations in the Middle East on Wednesday during his visit to Brazil, saying his government's stance towards the Palestinians is to return land in exchange for security guarantees, Xinhua reported.
   Speaking to the press after meeting his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Incio Lula da Silva, Peres said it was "with great pleasure that we receive the Brazilian contribution" to the peace process.
   The Brazilian government has stated on several occasions their will to mediate peace negotiations in the Middle East, since their participation in Annapolis conference in 2008 in the United States, which brought together a group of countries and representatives of the parties in conflict.
   Noting that the Brazilian leader has created a program called Light for All, Peres asked him to "come and turn on the lights in the Middle East."
   Peres invited Lula to visit Israel next year, and said it was his understanding that he will do the same on the Palestinian side.

   "Brazil shows an attitude against terror and against the destruction of other nations. Brazil is the leader of the future," he said.
   The president recalled that Israel has faced nine wars in which many of their best youngsters have been killed, one of the reasons why peace and security are now pursued.
   He noted that Israel has returned pieces of land to Egypt and Lebanon in exchange for peace, and is willing to do it again with the Palestinians.
   "Land for Peace," Peres said, is his country's proposal. The only requirement in return is security guaranteed to the Israeli people. He reiterated that Israel accepts the two-State solution, and that "we do not want to govern the Palestinians nor occupy their territories."
   On the issue of Jewish settlements, Peres confirmed that there will be no new settlements and no land confiscation from Palestinians. There will be no financial investment in them, and the 23 settlements built illegally would be dismantled.
   Peres stressed that settlements will be "frozen," provided that those already living there may develop their families' lives normally.