Washington (CNN) In an extraordinary move, the State Department is pulling the US ambassador to Zambia after the president there objected to his harsh criticism of the government's record on corruption and gay rights.

Recalling an ambassador is rare, especially when an ambassador is arguing for American values abroad.

US Ambassador Daniel Foote, in a scathing statement on December 2, slammed those in the conservative Christian country who compare homosexuality to bestiality and said he was shocked by the "venom and hate" he received for criticizing the sentencing of two men to 15 years in jail for being in a gay relationship. Same-sex activity is illegal in Zambia.

The harsh tone of Foote's remarks was unusual for a public statement coming from a US diplomat. Foote further blasted Zambian government officials for "stealing millions of dollars in public funds," which the Zambian government has denied.

"The current government of Zambia wants foreign diplomats to be compliant, with open pocketbooks and closed mouths," Foote wrote, noting that the US provides "$500 million in annual American, debt-free support to the Zambian people."

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