US President George W. Bush on Tuesday nominated national security adviser Condoleezza Rice to replace Colin Powell as secretary of state, who resigned last Friday.

In addition to Powell, the White House on Monday also announced the resignations of Education Secretary Rod Paige, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham.

Together with the resignations earlier this month of Commerce Secretary Don Evans and Attorney General John Ashcroft, six of Bush's 15 Cabinet members will not be part of Bush's second term, which begins with his inauguration Jan. 20.

Bush has nominated his official White House lawyer, Alberto Gonzales, to replace Ashcroft. Gonzales served as Bush's legal adviser when he was governor of Texas.