The Republican state senator from Tennessee picked by President Donald Trump to be Army secretary has withdrawn from consideration.

Mark Green steps aside amid intensifying criticism over his remarks about LGBT Americans and Muslims.

Mr Green is the second Trump nominee for Army secretary to withdraw.

A graduate of West Point and a retired army surgeon, Mr Green was selected after the previous choice, Vincent Viola, stood down following controversy over his financial interests.

Several Democrats have denounced Green for declaring that being transgender is a disease. He is opposed to gay marriage. Reservations over his appointment had also been expressed by two leading Republican senators, Lindsey Graham and John McCain.

He is also a "creationist", who has delivered a lecture disputing the theory of evolution.

Mr Green says in a statement that "false and misleading attacks" against him have made his nomination a distraction. He says his life of public service and Christian beliefs have been mischaracterised for political gain.

During a speech last September, Mr Green urged that a stand be taken against "the indoctrination of Islam" in public schools. He also referred to the "Muslim horde" that invaded Constantinople centuries ago.