Nitrogen oxides contained in an exhaust gas emitted from a lean-burn engine-mounted internal combustion engines are eliminated with a high efficiency.In an exhaust gas purification apparatus and process for eliminating nitrogen oxides contained in a combustion exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine with a reducing gas such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, etc. contained in the exhaust gas in the presence of a catalyst, a catalyst comprising all of Rh, Pt and Pd, at least one member selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and Mn or its compound, supported on a porous carrier is used.