Obama snubbed as Gibbs talks to Facebook?

Has one of president Barack Obama's closest advisors just let him down? When Robert Gibbs left his role as White House press secretary last month he made it clear that his future would be spent continuing to give "advice and counsel to this building and this president".

According to the New York Times, however, Gibbs is currently in negotiations with Facebook about taking up a lucrative role managing the company's communications.

Gibbs has been described by the president as "a great friend", having advised Obama for more than six years. Discussing Gibbs's departure from the White House, the President said that the move "doesn't change the important role that Robert will continue to play on our team" and it was widely assumed that Gibbs would help develop the president's re-election campaign.

But if the reports are to be believed, it is not Obama but Mark Zuckerberg who will be getting Gibbs's full attention as 2012 approaches. Facebook is preparing for flotation next year and wants the 39-year-old Alabaman's influence in Washington to help prepare for the move.

Gibbs has already discussed whether he should take the role with a number of his former White House colleagues, including Obama's former senior adviser David Axelrod. The offer of a hefty private sector pay package – the combination of a cash salary and share options would be worth millions – may also be a strong factor in Gibbs's decision.

The job is said to be based Facebook's headquarters in Palo Alto, California. Gibbs would work below Elliot Schrage, Facebook's vice president for global communications, marketing and public policy. ·