Dassault Group Says It Isn't Planning To Sell Le Figaro Daily

The Dassault group on Saturday denied having any plans to sell Le Figaro newspaper after French media website Mediapart reported that French tycoon Vincent Bollore has started negotiations to gain control of the publication.

Photo Insert: An old copy of Le Figaro

"It is total brainwashing. It has never been in the group's plans to part with Le Figaro," Rudi Roussilon, a representative for the Dassault group told Reuters when asked about the Mediapart report. A Bollore spokesman declined to comment, Dominique Vidalon reported for Reuters.

The Dassault group notably controls Dassault Aviation, maker of the Rafale warplanes, as well as Le Figaro. Bollore controls media group Vivendi, the top shareholder in Lagardere, which in turn owns assets such as Paris Match magazine, Europe 1 radio, and the Journal du Dimanche newspaper.

In September Vivendi, which already owns 27% of Lagardere, said it had agreed to buy Amber Capital's 17.9% holding in the company, paving the way for a full takeover.

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