On Saturday, Verizon agreed to acquire the stake of the company’s largest shareholder, Carlos Slim Helú, for $25.72 a share, 11% more than the other shareholders will get. After buying Mr. Slim’s stake, Verizon would burst into the line of MCI’s largest shareholders.

MCI said yesterday that it had no plans to remove a provision called "poison pill" which inhibits investors from acquiring more than 15 percent of the company’s stock.

The provision blocks Verizon from being able to buy all of MCI’s shares by deals with other major shareholders. Verizon makes all efforts to prevent its closest rival Qwest Communications International from a rival deal which would provide it with enough shareholder support.

MCI’s board says it "remains committed to obtaining the transaction that is in the best interests of all of its shareholders," but adds that Verizon’s agreement to buy Mr. Slim’s 43.4 million shares "is a private transaction between those two parties."

Qwest said in its statement that MCI’s rejection of its latest offer does not express shareholders’ interests.

The Verizon’s latest offer is $23.10 a share. By purchasing Mr. Slim’s stake, Verizon has created essential obstacles for Qwest to block the merger.