Rome: Italy`s defence ministry said today
that an Italian naval ship off Libya reported that a missile
fell into the water nearby, but it was unclear whether it had
been fired or dropped by accident.
"It could be a Libyan missile or an anti-aircraft
missile that fell into the sea," Defence Minister Ignazio La
Russa said on the sidelines of a press conference in Rome.
"There is no reason to worry," he said, though he
added that the ship, the Bersagliere, had "moved further off
to be on the safe side."
The missile fell into the water two kilometres from
the frigate around 0840 GMT (1310 IST), he said.
Italy, Libya`s former colonial master, is a partner in
the NATO mission carrying out air strikes in the country.
In July, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini insisted
there could be no resolution while Muammar Gaddafi was in
power, though Italy has also announced it is withdrawing its
aircraft carrier in a cost-cutting move.
PTI
