US giant says it will not tender for new infrastructure work after 52 employees have been killed in war-torn country since 2003

US giant Bechtel is pulling out of Iraq amid a deteriorating security situation in the war-torn country.

Bechtel, which has been involved in reconstruction projects in Iraq for three years, says it will no longer seek new work in the country. Fifty two Bechtel employees have been killed and 49 wounded in the country since 2003.

The engineering giant鈥檚 last contract in Iraq - a government deal to rebuild power, water and sewage plants - expired earlier this week. The company said it would not tender for new work in the country as the security situation has made it too difficult to continue operating.