Irish-born Samantha Power will almost definitely be confirmed as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations after winning her committee vote by 16-2.

The overwhelming majority vote means she is very likely to get a wide  margin also in the 100 member senate.

Fears that alleged anti Israel statements could end her candidacy were allayed when several leading Republicans said they would vote for her.

Power was born in Dublin but emigrated to the U.S. when she was 10. She grew up in Georgia, became a journalist and won a Pulitzer Prize for her book on genocide. She signed up as an advisor to Barack Obama during his first campaign.