The foundation stone of the new, state-of-the-art and environment-friendly US Embassy was laid in a symbolic "ground-breaking" ceremony under a marquee at its Ta' Qali site yesterday.

The construction of the embassy complex, covering an area of some 10 acres and scheduled to be completed in early 2010, is estimated to pump over $20 million into the local economy.

"We hope to use the talents of as many Maltese workers as possible. Most of the subcontracts will go to local firms, injecting millions of dollars and numerous jobs into the economy," US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro said before donning a hard hat and shovelling sand with a spade in a symbolic gesture.

Instrumental in getting the project off the ground since her arrival in Malta in 2005, Ms Bordonaro said the idea was for the embassy to also add value to the local landscape. The typical limestone is being used for the façade, with abundant landscaping, using indigenous plants and trees, to complement the Ta' Qali National Park.

The plan was for Ta' Qali to remain a recreational area for families and the US government was, in fact, donating $250,000 to the new adventure park there.

The new embassy, located on the site of the former counting hall, will be an internationally-certified green building, employing the latest strategies for sustainable site development, water conservation and energy savings, the ambassador said.

She described yesterday's event as historical and "a clear example of the US government's strong commitment to maintaining the excellent relationship between our two countries".

Expressing her appreciation for the government's support for the project, Ms Bordonaro said the move represented the need to modernise the embassy's facilities to be more open to the Maltese, while meeting the State Department's conventional building and safety standards.

The new chancery building, while not much larger than the current one, will have a more spacious consular section and a new American Centre for the public is being opened, she announced.

The centre will house a reference library, internet terminals, a conference room to host video conferences with speakers from the US and a culture corner, where members of the US diplomatic community can make presentations.

Joseph Toussaint, managing director of the Overseas Building Operations, State Department, said efforts were made to preserve the archaeological area of the site and the option of allowing visitors to view the remains unearthed during excavation works was being studied.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tonio Borg referred to the intensification of the resettlement programme of political refugees from Malta to the US, expressing Malta's gratitude for the assistance in its "hour of need".

Speaking about what more could be achieved in cooperation between the two countries, Dr Borg mentioned increasing US investment in Malta and tourism to and from the island, improving travel routes, enhancing trade relations, further cooperation on issues such as human trafficking and the fight against the use of child soldiers in armed conflict.

"We intend to propose that this despicable practice be declared a crime against humanity and hope for the support of the international community," Dr Borg said.

During the building of the embassy, business will remain as usual at the present premises in Floriana.