Morocco said on 26 March that it had not been informed of France's Vivendi Universal's intention to sell its stake in Maroc Telecom. London's Financial Times reported that the French firm was planning to sell the 35 per cent stake, acquired for $2,200 million in December 2000 (MEED 9:2:01). Speaking in an interview with Reuters, Telecommunications & Trade Minister Rachid Talbi Alami said: 'We got no official statement from Vivendi as to its intention to sell its stake.' He also said that Vivendi holds the pre-emptive right to buy the further 16 per cent of Maroc Telecombeing sold off during 2003. 'If Vivendi steps down, we'll seek another buyer,' said Alami. Reports in the local press have claimed that the government is seeking Arab investors to form a consortium with leading local private conglomerate ONAto replace Vivendi.