The Nationalist Party yesterday called on Labour leader Joseph Muscat to apologise for his “presumptuous” comments when he urged the tourism authorities to exploit the revolutions in neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt.

“His presumptuous declaration is insensitive, uncalled for and definitely unacceptable coming from someone who aspires to be prime minister in two years’ time,” the party said in a statement.

Dr Muscat made the comments last Sunday during an event organised at the Labour headquarters, saying he would “unleash the biggest media campaign ever” to attract tourists who were interested in going to Tunisia to come to Malta instead.

“The least Dr Muscat can do in the circumstances is to apologise for his insensitive, immature and presumptuous comments,” the party said.

Dr Muscat’s comments were immediately criticised by Alternattiva Demokratika who described them as “sarcastic” and “shameful” which showed a “lack of political savoir faire”.