Birzebbuga mayor Joseph Farrugia is suspecting that plans are underway for the US Embassy to move to his home town and he is not at all happy with such an eventuality.

Mr Farrugia told The Times he personally saw US Embassy cars visiting the Enemalta fuel depot site and it was pretty obvious the embassy was contemplating moving to Birzebbuga.

"The people of Birzebbuga have been sleeping next to an atom bomb with the Enemalta site for years. Now that these are being moved, we do not want another atom bomb to replace the current one," he said.

The mayor said that the site in question was next to the sea and so easily accessible for attacks and Birzebbuga did not need such trouble.

"The land in question has already made an adequate contribution to the people. It should now be developed into a modern estate where the young generation can build its homes," he said.

Asked whether the embassy was moving to Birzebbuga a spokesman for the US Embassy said: "The US Embassy is examining a number of locations for a new embassy building.

"No decision has yet been made on the precise area. The US Embassy is working closely with the government of Malta to identify a suitable location for its mission.

"There has been an American embassy in Malta since Malta achieved independence in 1964 and the new embassy will be a renewed sign of commitment by the United States to Malta."