From CNN:  Libyan government forces fired a missile at an Italian warship in the Mediterranean Sea on Wednesday in a rare attack on the NATO fleet offshore, a government spokesman said.

The frigate Bersagliere was about 19 kilometers (12 miles) off the Libyan city of Zlitan when the missile fell harmlessly into the sea about 2 km away, the Italian defense ministry and NATO reported.

"The ship was not harmed and continued on its mission," NATO said in a statement. "NATO ships go in harm’s way to seek those military targets which continue to threaten the people of Libya."

In Tripoli, government spokesman Musa Ibrahim told reporters that the missile had been launched by troops that remain loyal to longtime Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.  (photo: Juan Carlos Cilveti)

Image: wiki%208%204%2011%20frigate%20Bersagliere.jpg