US consultant Aecom is withdrawing from the Egyptian capital Cairo due to the ongoing security concerns in the area.

In a statement issued to MEED, the US firm said: “Aecom is committed to the Middle East and North Africa. However, the current security, economic and social circumstances in Egypt mean that Aecom is withdrawing from the Cairo area.”

The consultant said it remained “fully committed” to its work in neighbouring Libya.

Aecom has worked on several major projects in Cairo. In June 2011, the firm was awarded the consultancy contract to oversee the development of the estimated $14.5bn Cairo Airport City. The consultancy contract was to involve carrying out the preparation of a development strategy and masterplan for the airport city.

Aecom’s fully owned subsidiary, Davis Langdon, has also been involved in several major projects in the Cairo area, including the Stone Towers Development, consisting of 18 office towers, and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

The security situation in Egypt has remained volatile since the military ousting of former president Mohamed Mursi in July last year.

Egypt’s Interim President Adli Mansour announced in January that elections for a new president will be held before the vote on a new parliament. The presidential vote must take place within 90 days of the constitutional vote, so is expected to happen before the end of April.

Egypt held a referendum for the new constitution in mid-January. The constitution was passed with more than 98 per cent approval from voters. The turnout for the vote was relatively low, however, standing at slightly more than 38 per cent.

A total of 49 people were killed in clashes in several Egyptian cities during rallies held on 25 January to mark the third anniversary of the revolution that overturned President Hosni Mubarak.