Brazil in talks to buy French Rafale jets-source

BRASILIA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva authorized final negotiations to acquire 36 Rafale fighter jets made by France's Dassault Aviation (AVMD.PA), a Brazilian presidential source said on Monday.

The announcement coincides with a visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who participated in Brazil's Independence Day celebrations on Monday.

The other two finalists in the tender to supply next-generation fighter jets worth as much as $3 billion were Boeing Co (BA.N) and Saab AB (SAABb.ST).

(Reporting by Raymond Colitt; Editing by Eric Beech)