Tillerson axed, replaced by CIA chief Pompeo

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks during a news conference with Chad’s Foreign Minister Mahamat Zene Cherif in N’Djamena, Chad, March 12, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Donald Trump has fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson shortly after the State Department top diplomat was recalled during a tour in Africa Sunday.

Trump announced Tuesday in his twitter account he had relieved the ex-oil executive of his duties and replaced him with CIA director Mike Pompeo marking an end of several months of unease between the two. Tillerson had late last year been quoted allegedly referring to Trump as a moron.

The US president also announced he was appointing Gina Haspel as the first woman to head the CIA.

“Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!” Trump said in a tweet.

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