Dr. Condoleeza Rice, President Bush's nominee to take over as secretary of state in his second administration will be having surgery at a Washington area hospital on Friday according to a spokesman.

The operation is to treat a uterine fibroid tumor and is designed to cut blood flow to the tumor to cause it to shrink and eventually die. There is no sign of cancer and the condition is not thought to be life threatening. The surgery is considered routine. It is expected that Rice will be released from the hospital on Saturday and resume working within a few days.

Rice's nomination as secretary of state is subject to confirmation by the Senate although that is largely expected to be a formality.