Palestinians expect broad global support: Some 150 countries will recognize a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders by September of this year, Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said Wednesday.

Maliki claimed that 10 more states in the Caribbean region will be declaring their recognition of Palestine this month.

In an interview with The Media Line last week, the PA foreign minister said the Palestinians were on track to declaring an independent state by September.

"Yes we are ready (for statehood). Are we ready for September? Absolutely," al-Maliki said. "I think our issue will be raised not only by us but by the international community as a whole, including the United States of America."

The state of Palestine has so far been recognized mostly by South American nations, including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana and Uruguay.

The Palestinians apparently believe that broad international support, coupled with growing Israeli isolation, will enable them to achieve independence as early as this year.

Last week, following a US veto against an anti-settlement decision at the United Nation's Security Council, Senior PA official Nabil Shaath said the vote "proved that Israel is isolated internationally and is only protected by the American veto."