India, Feb. 4 -- World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said he would "welcome constructive dialogue" with the United States government over President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the body.

President Trump's executive order of 20 January is regrettable "and we hope the US will reconsider," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a speech to the organization's executive board.

The WHO chief said he would welcome the opportunity "to preserve and strengthen the historic relationship between WHO and the US."

The US is the biggest donor by far to the agency, accounting for around 14 per cent of its $6.9 billion budget, according to latest WHO figures.

Addressing the US compla...