United States first lady Melania Trump has called publicly for the Deputy National Security adviser Mira Ricardel to be sacked.

Key points: Sources say Ms Trump explicitly asked the President to oust Ms Ricardel

Sources say Ms Trump explicitly asked the President to oust Ms Ricardel Dispute between first lady, Deputy National Security Adviser intensified over Ms Trump's Africa trip

Dispute between first lady, Deputy National Security Adviser intensified over Ms Trump's Africa trip Tensions reportedly began building to crisis point about a month ago

After earlier reports that President Donald Trump had decided to sack Ms Ricardel from her post at the National Security Council (NSC), a spokeswoman for the first lady released a statement confirming she wished her to be axed from the role.

"It is the position of the office of the first lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House," the statement said.

Earlier, Ms Ricardel was among a group of administration officials and other individuals who stood behind Mr Trump at a White House ceremony celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

The Wall Street Journal reported the first lady's staff and Ms Ricardel had clashed during Ms Trump's visit to Africa in October, over such things as seating on the plane and requests to use the NSC's resources.

A White House official said Ms Ricardel wanted to travel to Africa with the first lady, but was denied seating on the plane because there was no room for her and several others who initially expected to make the trip.

The dispute between the first lady and Ms Ricardel (centre) reportedly intensified over a trip Ms Trump made to Africa in October. ( Reuters: Jonathan Ernst )

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Ms Ricardel then threatened not to send any NSC staff on the trip.

Ms Ricardel also is known to have clashed with US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis over Pentagon political appointee choices since early in his tenure.

And Pentagon officials have said privately they believe Ms Ricardel had a hand in spreading rumours this year about Mr Mattis falling from favour with the White House and perhaps departing.

Asked about Ms Trump's office saying Ms Ricardel no longer deserves to work in the White House, Mr Mattis said: "I don't comment on other people's staffing issues."

A spokesman for the NSC had no immediate comment.

Ms Trump is very protective of her husband and is considered to be an influential adviser, as many first ladies have been with their spouses.

She is also one of the most private first ladies in recent memory, which made the public announcement about her displeasure with a top West Wing official all the more surprising.

Sorry, this video has expired The reported feud comes after Melania said last month she might be "the most bullied person" in the world.

In an interview with ABC News during the five-day trip to Ghana, Mali, Kenya and Egypt last month, the first lady said there are people in the White House whom she and the President cannot trust.

She declined to name anyone, but said she had let the President know who they are.

"Well," she said, "some people, they don't work there anymore."

Asked if some untrustworthy people still worked in the White House, Ms Trump replied: "Yes."

Former chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush, Anita McBride, said there is a lesson in the current first lady's public pronouncement.

"The President supports Mrs Trump's activities and her work, which should be the signal to the rest of the staff to support her, too," Ms McBride said in an email statement.

AP