WASHINGTON, Jan 19: The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday confirmed Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state after two days of hearings in which she faced strenuous questions on the Bush administration's handling of Iraq.

Pending approval by the full Senate, Ms Rice would be the first black woman to hold the job. She was confirmed by a 16-2 vote with Democrats John Kerry of Massachusetts and Barbara Boxer of California voting no.

Other Democrats, including ranking member Joseph Biden of Delaware, said they were reluctantly voting for Ms Rice. A vote by the full Senate is expected by Thursday. As the committee voted, Secretary of State Colin Powell bid farewell to his colleagues at the State Department.