General Electric, seeking France's approval for its $17 billion bid for Alstom's energy division, said it will keep the power-equipment maker's nuclear operations in its home country.

"We will answer the government's legitimate demands that the nuclear unit remain French, that intellectual property stay French and that exports be protected," Clara Gaymard, head of GE's business in the country, said today.

GE earlier agreed to extend the deadline for the purchase by three weeks.

The US manufacturer is in talks with state-controlled nuclear group Areva and other French firms on asset sales or partnerships.

French president François Hollande and economy minister Arnaud Montebourg had both called on GE to improve its offer.

– (Bloomberg)