The US embassy has refused to confirm or deny whether an American man seen verbally assaulting a Maltese driver in an online video is a member of staff.

The unidentified US citizen’s road rage became the subject of shock and ridicule after a video of the event went viral on social media last weekend.

Asked whether the man was a US diplomat or involved in any way with the embassy, the US officials refused to comment but later apologised for his actions.

The American left his car and launched a torrent of insults at a motorist as both refused to give way in a narrow street in Sliema. The American eventually reversed his vehicle as the tailback behind the Maltese driver's car grew.

More details on The Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.

The video can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5q3acDm-rw It contains foul language.

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