PARIS (Standard & Poor's) Dec 14, 2005--Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said today that its 'A+' long-term and 'A-1' short-term corporate credit ratings on France-based toll-road operator Sanef remain on CreditWatch with negative implications, where they had been placed on Aug. 31, 2005 following the completion of the first step by the French state toward divesting its 75.6% shareholding in Sanef. The CreditWatch update reflects today's announcement by the state that it has selected a consortium led by Abertis (AA-/Watch Neg/--) as preferred bidder to buy the state's stake. The overall transaction value is about Ç4 billion. The ratings will remain on CreditWatch pending completion of the privatization process, expected in the first quarter of 2006. "Key to resolving the