WASHINGTON (AFP) - One of the US State Department's most senior officials was sacked on Tuesday (March 13) after his comments on the firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appeared to contradict the White House version of events.

"This has been the honor of a lifetime and I am grateful to the president and the secretary for this opportunity. I look forward to getting some rest," Undersecretary of State Steve Goldstein told AFP.

(This story is developing)