Rex Tillerson 'is here', 'still in charge at State Department,' says White House

The White House said on Thursday that Rex Tillerson remains the US secretary of state despite reports of his upcoming departure, and that there are no changes at this time.

"As the President just said, 'Rex is here.' There are no personnel announcements at this time. Secretary Tillerson continues to lead the State Department and the entire cabinet is focused on completing this incredibly successful first year of President Trump's administration," said White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders in a statement.

Earlier, it was reported that Tillerson was set to be replaced by the CIA chief Mike Pompeo 'within weeks.'

Under the plan, Republican Senator Tom Cotton would be tapped to replace Pompeo at the CIA, the New York Times reported, citing senior officials.

The Times, the first to report the plan, said it was not immediately clear whether President Donald Trump had given final approval to the shakeup.

Tillerson's departure would end a troubled tenure for the former Exxon Mobile chief executive who has found himself increasingly at odds with Trump over policy challenges such as North Korea and under fire for his planned cuts at the State Department.

John Kelly, the White House chief of staff, developed the transition plan and has discussed it with other officials, the Times reported. Under his plan, the staff reshuffle would happen around the end of the year or shortly afterward.

Tillerson's departure has been widely rumored for months, with attention focused on Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the United Nations, as his likely replacement.