Israel and Lebanon kept a low profile today while launching talks on demarking the bilateral maritime border. The talks' sponsors the United States and United Nations said in a joined statement on this morning's meeting, “During this initial meeting, the representatives held productive talks and reaffirmed their commitment to continue negotiations later this month.” A second meeting is scheduled for Oct. 28.

The meeting took place in a tent at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon in the southern Lebanon town of Naqoura, near the border with Israel. The two countries are technically at a state of war. Still, Israeli officials downplayed the importance of these rare negotiations this week, stressing they should by no means be taken as the beginning of a normalization process similar to that which took place with the United Arab Emirates or Bahrain.

A senior Israeli Energy Ministry source was quoted as saying, “We have a pragmatic, realistic attitude. We have a defined goal to solve the disagreement and set a border for our economic waters. … The goal is very limited and clear.” Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, who has been involved in the talks, said earlier this week, "We must have realistic expectations about negotiations with Lebanon. It’s not talks for peace and normalization. Rather, it’s an attempt to solve a technical-economic dispute that for 10 years has delayed the development of natural resources in the sea for the benefit of the nations of the region.”

Emphasizing the technical nature of the talks, the Israeli and Lebanese delegations were both composed of professionals, not politicians. The Israeli team was headed by Energy Ministry Director-General Udi Adiri. Also on the Israeli team were Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz’ chief of staff Mor Halutz, Steinitz’ international adviser Aviv Ayash, deputy national security adviser Reuven Azar, Foreign Ministry Deputy Director-General Alon Bar and Brig. Gen. Oren Setter, head of the IDF's Strategic Division.