Adecco reiterates interest in Michael Page

Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:09am BST

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ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss staffing group Adecco (ADEN.VX) reiterated on Monday it wanted a friendly takeover of Michael Page (MPI.L) but said it was keeping all options open after the group rejected Adecco's approaches.

It made the statement after the British takeover panel asked Adecco to clarify whether it intended to make a friendly or hostile bid for Michael Page, following a press report that suggested it had ruled out going hostile.

"We intend to do a friendly takeover, while we keep our options open," an Adecco spokesman said.

The world's largest staffing agency has said it would keep pursuing the recruitment group, which rejected for a second time on Friday an offer valuing it at 1.3 billion pounds ($2.43 billion).

Michael Page is due to report first-half earnings later on Monday.

(Reporting by Katie Reid; Editing by Erica Billingham)

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