Cairo, Feb 23 (IANS): The Egyptian diplomatic mission in the Yemeni capital Sanaa returned to Cairo Monday due to the deteriorating security situation in that country.

Egypt's Ambassador to Yemen Youssef el Sharqawi and the embassy staff returned home which was followed by the closing of the embassy, MENA news agency reported.

The situation in Yemen is escalating after resigned Yemeni president Abd El Rabou Mansour Hadi broke the siege imposed by Shia Houthis on his residence in Sanaa and fled in disguise for Aden Saturday.

Hadi said he was still the legitimate president and that he had resigned earlier only under pressure.

Yemen has been gripped by chaos since Shia Houthi rebels took control of the capital and challenged the central government, Al Ahram reported.

As security concerns are growing, countries like US, Britain, Germany, France, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Japan have temporarily closed their embassies in Yemen.