The chief executive of the Washington Post is stepping down, the newspaper has announced, days after overseeing mass lay-offs.

Will Lewis said it was the right time to leave, saying in a message to staff that was shared online that "difficult decisions" had been made to ensure the paper's future.

On Wednesday the newspaper announced it was cutting a third of its workforce, dramatically scaling back its coverage of sport and international news.

The decision was condemned by many journalists and prompted criticism of the Post's billionaire owner, Jeff Bezos. Executive editor Matt Murray said the cuts would bring "stability".

Jeff D'Onofrio, who joined as chief financial officer of the newspaper last year, will serve as acting publisher and CEO, the Post said as it announced Lewis's departure.