MILAN (Thomson Financial) - Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi said that many Italian investors have expressed an interest in buying stakes in Alitalia SpA.
'We will have to say no because the offer is over twice what is necessary,' Berlusconi said.
The Italian government is working towards the creation of a consortium of Italian investors to take over the ailing airline.
'We are working on the issue and I am personally convinced that we will be able to present a new Alitalia with a business plan for a profitable flagship carrier fairly soon,' he said. stephen.jewkes@thomsonreuters.com sj/rfw COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.