Israel quietly withdrew its ambassador from Egypt several weeks ago amid fears about his safety, according to Israeli officials.

Sources told The Telegraph that Ambassador David Govrin was pulled out of Egypt at the end of last year over security concerns.

Their claims were confirmed by the Shin Bet, Israel's lead security agency. "Due to security concerns the return of the Foreign Ministry embassy staff to Cairo has been restricted," a spokesman said.

The ambassador is currently working from Jerusalem and the Israeli government hopes that he will be able to return to his post soon.

It is not clear what the security concerns were but Egypt has been wracked by a series of terror attacks in the last year.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry declined to comment.