Long-time foes Lebanon and Israel met briefly on Wednesday for unprecedented talks on their disputed maritime border, but broke up after barely an hour and agreed to meet again in two weeks.

The talks were mediated by the United States, which has pushed for negotiations to resolve the argument over potentially gas-rich Mediterranean waters.

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Two Lebanese military helicopters were seen bringing the Lebanese delegation to the meeting. The Lebanese team was expected to be led by a military officer, and the Israeli side by the director general of its energy ministry.

Agreement to hold the talks was announced weeks after the United States stepped up pressure on allies of Lebanon`s Iran-backed Hezbollah, imposing sanctions on senior politician from its main Shi`ite ally, the Amal party.

Hezbollah, which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006, says the talks are not a sign of peace-making with its long-time enemy. Israel`s energy minister has also said expectations should be realistic.

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The talks come after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain agreed to establish full relations with Israel, under U.S.-brokered deals which realign some of Washington`s closest Middle East allies against Iran.

Wednesday`s meeting was hosted by the United Nations, which has monitored the land boundary since Israel withdrew from south Lebanon in 2000 and ended a 22-year occupation. The next talks will be held on Oct 28.

Hours before the first meeting, Hezbollah and Amal criticised the Lebanese delegation in its current form, calling for changing the team to ensure it includes only military officials.

Long-time foes Lebanon and Israel met briefly on Wednesday for unprecedented talks on their disputed maritime border, but broke up after barely an hour and agreed to meet again in two weeks.

Long-time foes Lebanon and Israel met briefly on Wednesday for unprecedented talks on their disputed maritime border, but broke up after barely an hour and agreed to meet again in two weeks. The talks were mediated by the United States, which has pushed for negotiations to resolve the argument over potentially gas-rich Mediterranean waters. Also read| For Trump, defying Mideast truisms produced breakthroughs and backfires Two Lebanese military helicopters were seen bringing the Lebanese delegation to the meeting. The Lebanese team was expected to be led by a military officer, and the Israeli side by the director general of its energy ministry. Agreement to hold the talks was announced weeks after the United States stepped up pressure on allies of Lebanon`s Iran-backed Hezbollah, imposing sanctions on senior politician from its main Shi`ite ally, the Amal party. Hezbollah, which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006, says the talks are not a sign of peace-making with its long-time enemy. Israel`s energy minister has also said expectations should be realistic. Also read| The West Asia Post: Lebanon-Israel Border Conflict, An Exclusive Ground Report from the Blue Line The talks come after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain agreed to establish full relations with Israel, under U.S.-brokered deals which realign some of Washington`s closest Middle East allies against Iran. Wednesday`s meeting was hosted by the United Nations, which has monitored the land boundary since Israel withdrew from south Lebanon in 2000 and ended a 22-year occupation. The next talks will be held on Oct 28. Hours before the first meeting, Hezbollah and Amal criticised the Lebanese delegation in its current form, calling for changing the team to ensure it includes only military officials.

Lebanon, Israel hold talks on disputed maritime border

The Israeli military struck what it said were posts belonging to Lebanon`s Shi`ite Hezbollah movement early on Wednesday after shots were fired from the other side of the border towards its troops.

After a meeting, Lebanon`s Supreme Defence Council denounced the incident which it called "an Israeli assault" and said a complaint would be filed to the United Nations. The Lebanese army said on its Twitter account that Israeli helicopters had fired missiles at centres of a local environmental group.

Tension has been running high on the border. Last month, Israel said Iran-backed Hezbollah had carried out an infiltration attempt, which the group denied.

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The Israeli military said no troops were wounded in the firing on Wednesday. Soldiers deployed illumination flares, smoke shells and live fire after the shots from the Lebanese side of the frontier, it said.

"In response, overnight, IDF attack helicopters and aircraft struck observation posts belonging to the Hezbollah terror organization in the border area," the military said in a statement, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah. The two sides last fought a deadly month-long war in 2006. Witnesses in south Lebanon said Israel had fired scores of flare munitions at border villages.

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The statement from Lebanon`s defence council, which includes the president and top security officials, made no mention of any shots fired from the south towards Israel.

It said Lebanon`s army commander had briefed the council on "the denounced Israeli assault which took place last night at the southern border."

The Israeli military said it lifted a curfew it had imposed overnight.

"Israel views with great gravity Hezbollah`s firing at our forces," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Wednesday morning. "We will respond mightily to any attack on us."

The Israeli military struck what it said were posts belonging to Lebanon`s Shi`ite Hezbollah movement early on Wednesday after shots were fired from the other side of the border towards its troops.

The Israeli military struck what it said were posts belonging to Lebanon`s Shi`ite Hezbollah movement early on Wednesday after shots were fired from the other side of the border towards its troops. After a meeting, Lebanon`s Supreme Defence Council denounced the incident which it called "an Israeli assault" and said a complaint would be filed to the United Nations. The Lebanese army said on its Twitter account that Israeli helicopters had fired missiles at centres of a local environmental group. Tension has been running high on the border. Last month, Israel said Iran-backed Hezbollah had carried out an infiltration attempt, which the group denied. Also read: Netanyahu vows 'forceful' response if more attacks from Lebanon The Israeli military said no troops were wounded in the firing on Wednesday. Soldiers deployed illumination flares, smoke shells and live fire after the shots from the Lebanese side of the frontier, it said. "In response, overnight, IDF attack helicopters and aircraft struck observation posts belonging to the Hezbollah terror organization in the border area," the military said in a statement, referring to the Israel Defense Forces. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah. The two sides last fought a deadly month-long war in 2006. Witnesses in south Lebanon said Israel had fired scores of flare munitions at border villages. Also read: Pompeo addresses RNC for Trump from Jerusalem, sparks criticism The statement from Lebanon`s defence council, which includes the president and top security officials, made no mention of any shots fired from the south towards Israel. It said Lebanon`s army commander had briefed the council on "the denounced Israeli assault which took place last night at the southern border." The Israeli military said it lifted a curfew it had imposed overnight. "Israel views with great gravity Hezbollah`s firing at our forces," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Wednesday morning. "We will respond mightily to any attack on us."

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