A first preliminary deal was reached on 25 February 2008.

But, these people said, the bids are preliminary and any deal could be weeks away.

"Okay, Haled, take me to the hotel," he answered cheerfully, oferring his right hand to seal the preliminary deal.

It reached a preliminary deal with the China Minmetals Corporation in late September.

If these terms can be agreed upon, Mr. Clinton would serve American interests by sealing a preliminary deal.

Such a preliminary deal would still need approval from the rest of the 112 nations in the GATT talks.

It said it had also struck a preliminary deal with another group of lenders to restructure a credit agreement for its health and tennis unit.

The preliminary deal had been struck.

The preliminary deal would provide federal assistance for the next three years and provide as much as $100 billion in aid.

The United Statesexpected a preliminary deal to be reached at this conference, but talks soon fell apart.