Israel is removing the contents of its embassy in Cairo, officials on both sides confirmed, suggesting strained diplomatic relations between the two nations since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak's regime.

Israel had earlier sought Egypt's permission to clear the contents from its embassy in Cairo, after the Egyptian parliamentary committee issued a statement last week in the wake of conflicts between Israel and Palestinian militant outfits of Gaza, demanding that the Israeli envoy be expelled from Cairo for a review of ties with Tel Aviv, a Reuters report said.

Israeli officials, however, maintained that there was no change in ties, adding that the Israeli diplomats will continue to stay in Egypt.

Israel evacuated its ambassador to Egypt in September last year, when an Egyptian mob stormed the embassy protesting a border shooting incident in August. The new Israeli ambassador Yaacov Amitai, took office last month. According to Israeli officials, the delay in finding a new place for the embassy prompted the decision to move the contents back to Israel.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yigal Palmor told Reuters that Israel had decided not to return to the old embassy premises in an apartment block next to the Nile.

We are looking for a new place, and meanwhile (the contents) have been standing unused, and finding a new office will take a while, he said.

Though Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood has asserted its commitment to Cairo's diplomatic ties, anti-Zionist sentiments have been noticeable ever since 'US-friendly' Mubarak was toppled.

Egypt Israel Egypt Israel