Malta's ambassador to Finland, Michael Zammit Tabona, has resigned after he posted a Facebook rant comparing German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Adolf Hitler.

Zammit Tabona, posted the following comment on Facebook. "75 years ago we stopped hitler. Who will stop Angela Merkel? She has fulfilled hitlers dream! To control Europe."

The post has since been removed, apparently on instructions by Foreign Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo.

In a statement, the PN called on the government to act and to issue an apology.

PN Leader Adrian Delia and shadow Foreign Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici said the behaviour was unbecoming of an ambassador.

The PN noted that Zammit Tabona had been appointed directly by the government and was not a member of the diplomatic corps.

It said the ambassador was also mistaken in his comparison because Germany has always supported Malta.

While one might have a different opinion about Merkel, the German chancellor remains Christian democrat who is a "centre of stability" in European politics and can never be compared to extreme right-wing politics, the PN said.

The PN called on the government to take action and to send a letter of apology to the German government. 

In another development, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry welcomed the resignation of Zammit Tabona from Ambassador of Finland, earlier today, following his comments on social media.

Such comments do nothing but harm the country's reputation. All persons holding public office and diplomats no less, should take extra care when expressing themselves, as the country's reputation is no one's to put in compromising situations. Good governance demands high ethical, professional and diplomatic standards from our Ambassadors.

The country ought to have representatives of the highest credibility that attract strong trust levels in the interest of Malta, the chamber said.