ROME, Oct 1, 2008 (AFP) - Air France-KLM chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta on Wednesday confirmed to officials in Rome that the European giant was interested in acquiring a minority stake in Italian carrier Alitalia, said a source close to the dossier.

Meeting with Roberto Colaninno, head of the Italian Air Company (CAI) investor group, and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's top aide Gianni Letta, Spinetta 'reiterated Air France-KLM's continuing strong interest in a minority participation' in the airline, the source said.