ROME - A missile launched from Libya landed harmlessly Wednesday 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) from an Italian warship sailing off the Libyan coast, Italian officials said.
The frigate Bersagliere was around 19 kilometres off the coast when radar spotted the missile landing in the sea of the ship's stern.
A Navy spokesman, speaking under navy policy of anonymity, said the navy is trying to determine if it was launched purposely Wednesday against the Italian vessel.
"We don't know if it was a missile lanched by Libya to hit us or was launched at a plane and missing its objective fell into the sea," Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa was quoted as saying by Italian news agencies.
The Bersagliere is now being moved out of missile range as a precaution.
