With Silva's outreach, Brazil is suddenly a Mideast diplomacy hub

RIO DE JANEIRO: Dueling visits to Brazil by the presidents of Israel and Iran are showing the South American powerhouse's growing role in Mideast diplomacy.

Israeli President Shimon Peres opened a visit to Brazil yesterday, in the Jewish state's latest bid to battle growing Iranian influence in Latin America. Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is due on Nov 23, and Brazilian officials say Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas may visit later this month.

The visits follow a July trip by Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to Brazil, during which time he tried to enlist help in stemming Iran's alleged effort to build a nuclear weapon.