United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday said that America's relationship with Pakistan is 'extraordinarily important' regionally.

"... we rolled out the South Asia strategy which spoke about it in a regional context ... it is not just about Afghanistan, this is about the importance of Pakistan and Pakistan's long-term stability as well. We have concerns about the Pakistan's government too.

"We want their government to be stable, we want it to be peaceful and many of the same issues they're struggling with inside of Pakistan are our issues, so we think there's an opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship. we're gonna be working very hard at all levels. Pakistan is critical to the long-term stability of  the region," Tillerson said at a media briefing at the State Department.

He held the press conference to deny a news report that claimed he had considered resigning from Donald Trump's cabinet.

He dismissed the report that he had called the president a 'moron' as 'petty nonsense'.

"The vice president has never had to persuade me to remain as secretary of state because I have never considered leaving this post," Tillerson said, denying the NBC News report (external link).

"My commitment to the success of our President and the country is as strong as the day I accepted his offer to serve as the Secretary of State," he said.

Praising Trump, Tillerson said, President Trumps America First agenda has given voice to millions who felt completely abandoned by the political status quo and who felt their interest came second to those of other countries.

"The President loves this country. He puts Americans and #AmericaFirst. Hes smart, and he demands results," he said.

"While I'm new to Washington, I have learned there are some who try to sow dissension to advance their own agenda by tearing others apart in an effort to undermine president Trump's own agenda. I do not and I will not operate that way," Tillerson said.

IMAGE: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson makes a statement to the media at the State Department in Washington on Wednesday. Photograph: Yuri Gripas/Reuters