Bush taps Dina Powell for State Dept. post

WASHINGTON, March 14 (UPI) -- Dina Habib Powell has been selected to become the new assistant secretary of state for educational cultural affairs, the White House reported Monday.

Powell, who currently serves as assistant to the president for presidential personnel will, if confirmed by the Senate, also be appointed deputy undersecretary of state for public diplomacy.

A native of Egypt who speaks fluent Arabic, Powell represented the administration in key forums across the Middle East on the president's freedom and reform agenda, the White House said.

Prior to joining the Bush administration, Powell served as director of congressional affairs at the Republican National Committee and as an aide to former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas.