EDF calls Friday news conference, no agenda given

PARIS, July 31 (Reuters) - French nuclear power giant EDF (EDF.PA) has called a news conference for Friday but declined to say whether it would be about its interim earnings or the announcement of a deal to buy British Energy BGY.L.

The state-owned company had said earlier this week it would not hold a news conference for its first-half earnings, which are due for publication at around 0500 GMT on Friday.

"Now there is a conference; that's all I can say," EDF spokesman Francois Molho said.

The conference for reporters and analysts is due to start at 0645 GMT.

Industry sources told Reuters earlier this week that negotiations for EDF's takeover of British Energy would be finalised at the end of the week at a price of around 775 pence a share, valuing the British nuclear power operator at around 12 billion pounds ($23.79 billion).

French daily newspaper Le Figaro reported on Thursday that EDF would hold a board meeting on Thursday evening to discuss an offer between 760 and 770 pence per share.

Molho declined to confirm that a board meeting was planned for tonight.

EDF shares were up 2.8 percent at 55.80 euros at 1050 GMT, while British Energy's shed 0.3 percent at 720 pence. (Reporting by Marie Maitre, editing by Will Waterman)