WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States said on Mondaythat it looks forward to moving forward the Middle East peace process no matter what happens to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

    "It is important for the United States to take every opportunity to move forward. We have done this repeatedly in this administration, whether it is was Sham el-Sheikh in Aqaba, where the president was personally involved, or in April when we looked at the Israeli disengagement plan and said this represents an opportunity," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said at anews briefing.

    Boucher said he does not know what kind of transition the Palestinian authority will go through as Arafat is very ill.

    "I do not know what kind of transition at this point the Palestinians might be going through, whatever happens to Mr. Arafat, whether he recovers or not," Boucher said.

    "But We will certainly continue to look for ways that we can move forward on Middle East peace. It remains important to the Palestinians and Israelis alike that they have a way to live side by side in peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians,"Boucher said.

    The 75-year-old Arafat, who is critically ill, is currently in Paris to undergo treatment. Enditem