TOTALFINA BOSS LOBBIES COMMISSIONER OVER ELF MERGER DEAL.

The European Commission confirmed that on January 13 TotalFina Chairman Thierry Desmarest held last-minute talks with European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti over the Franco-Belgian oil group's merger with French rival Elf Aquitaine - currently being scrutinised by the Commission's competition authorities in a four-month investigation under the Merger Regulation. Totalfina and Elf have until January 18 to submit a detailed plan of concessions and divested interests - principally in the area of petrol retailing and oil distribution in France - but, according to the head of their legal team, have already presented their dossier. Either way, Totalfina's proposed merger with Elf, will not be cleared before the official deadline of February 18.The latest talks come after speculation over the Christmas period that two sides...