The Libyan government this morning confirmed to CNN that it yesterday fired a missile at an Italian naval ship off Libya.

Italy's defence ministry yesterday reported that a missile had fallen near an Italian naval ship, 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, 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 Moamer Kadhafi was in power -- though Italy has also announced it is withdrawing its aircraft carrier in a cost-cutting move.

A Libyan government spokesman this morning told CNN that the missile had been fired.