WASHINGTON, July 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush has nominated John Simon, executive vice president of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), to become the new U.S. representative to the African Union, the White House said in a statement on Thursday.

    Prior to being the executive vice president of the OPIC, Simon served as special assistant to the U.S. president and senior director for relief, stabilization, and development at the White House National Security Council.

    If Simon's nomination is approved by the Senate, he will replace Cindy Lou Courville, who is the current U.S. representative to the African Union.