US Secretary of State says reports Trump wants him out 'laughable'

The relationship between the president and his top diplomat has been dogged for months by reports of a rift.

On Thursday, these came to a head when several US media outlets citing White House sources predicted Tillerson's resignation.

Asked by reporters whether leaks from the White House were designed to force him out, Tillerson said: "It's laughable."

The White House did little to downplay the reports, but a State Department spokeswoman insisted Tillerson's position was safe.

On Friday, Tillerson himself brushed off the challenge at a photo call with Libya's Prime Minister Fayez Serraj.

Later, he was due to see Trump at the White House for talks with Serraj and lunch with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.