Tillerson says he’s staying put

Washington – Top US diplomat Rex Tillerson does not plan to step down, the State Department said, quashing reports citing differences with the White House.

Since taking the helm of the State Department in February, the former ExxonMobil chair has come under fire for his ultra-low profile, and his plan to slash by 30% the budget of an agency that employs more than 70 000 people in Washington and around the world.

CNN reported that Tillerson planned to leave by year’s end, which spokesperson Heather Nauert flatly denied.

“That is false. We have spoken with the secretary and he intends to stay,” she said.