Rice to Undergo Surgery

WASHINGTON – Condoleezza Rice (search), nominated to be secretary of state, will undergo a minor surgical procedure at a Washington hospital on Friday, a spokesman said.

Sean McCormack said Rice would remain overnight at the hospital and return to work the next day or so.

Rice is having a uterine fibroid embolization (search), a minimally invasive procedure to block arteries that supply blood to fibroid tumors, he said. It did not involve cancer or a life-threatening condition, McCormack said.

President Bush announced on Tuesday that Rice, 50, currently his national security adviser, will succeed Secretary of State Colin Powell (search). Her nomination must be confirmed by the Senate.