Several Washington lobbyists have announced that they are ending their contract with the Egyptian government amid the deepening of the controversy involving raids conducted on the offices of American advocacy groups.

The PLM Group announced it was "immediately ending their relationship after a four-year engagement."

"We hope that Egyptians continue to enjoy the deepening of democracy in their country, and that Egypt remains a strong, stable and vital ally of the United States," Fox News quoted lobbyists, as saying.

The statement came after the Egyptian government intensified its crackdown on non- governmental organizations (NGOs) based in the U.S. and other countries.

The Egyptian government has also prevented several Americans, including the son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, from leaving the country.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government and the NGOs are trying to urge Egyptian government to ease the crackdown.

US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that the Obama administration had not made progress with the Egyptians on the NGO issue.

Sam LaHood, one of at least six Americans currently barred from leaving Egypt, said the workers are "kind of expecting the worst."

"It's a little bit scary for us to be facing these very serious allegations but, you know, also for the Egyptian employees who work for these organizations," he added.

The Egyptian government closed the NGOs' offices and confiscated equipment during the raids.

The groups claimed the government so far has not returned the material. (ANI)