Spanish state part-funded Repsol stake -paper

MADRID, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Spain's state credit institute gave 350 million euros ($440.8 million) to builder Sacyr (SVO.MC) in 2006 to help fund its purchase of a stake in Repsol (REP.MC), El Mundo reported on Tuesday, without citing its sources.

The paper said the Institute of Official Credit (IOC) also acted as one of five mandated lead arrangers for the syndicated loan for the operation, showing the government's interest in the Spanish oil company remaining in Spanish hands.

No-one at Sacyr was immediately available for comment. A spokeswoman for the ICO said the institute never comments on any of its operations.

Russia's LUKOIL (LKOH.MM) is now in talks to buy Sacyr's 20 percent of Repsol and stakes from other shareholders, according to various sources. Spain's government has said it wants Repsol to remain in Spanish hands but will not interfere in a private operation.

According to Cinco Dias, Sacyr's 48 creditor banks are considering transferring a 5.18 billion euros loan to LUKOIL to finance its investment in Repsol, but have asked the Russian group to provide additional guarantees on the financing.

The banks would not accept a refinancing deal which only offered Repsol shares as collateral, the newspaper cited financial sources as saying.

Separately, the Spanish government has contacted French President Nicolas Sarkozy with the aim of persuading French oil group Total (TOTF.PA) to look at Repsol, Expansion reported, citing sources close to the Spanish government.

The French group has been reported in the past to be interested in Repsol. (Reporting by Sarah Morris; Editing by David Holmes)