BEIRUT: There was no deal to allow gunmen to flee and end the four days of battles between militants and the Lebanese Army in the northern city of Tripoli, Defense Minister Samir Moqbel said Tuesday, dismissing media reports of a compromise brokered by political leaders.

"We have heard talk of compromises in Tripoli, but we affirm that no deal had been reached in Tripoli or elsewhere,” Moqbel told reporters after meeting former Prime Minister Najib Mikati at his Beirut office.

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