Hedge fund Harbinger says Salton is not for sale

* Harbinger says Salton not for sale

* Firm plans to focus on refinancing company's debt

BOSTON, June 17 (Reuters) - Hedge fund firm Harbinger
Capital Partners said on Wednesday that it has no plans to sell
its home appliance business Salton and plans to focus on
refinancing the company's debt instead.

"Salton is not for sale," Harbinger spokesman Charles
Zehren said.

"We've been approached by a number of different parties
about the asset but at this time we've determined the most
appropriate action considering the substantial improvement in
operations is that we should focus on refinancing the
outstanding indebtedness and reduce interest expense, further
increasing cash flow," Zehren added.

Harbinger, which manages roughly $6 billion and owns the
controlling stake in Salton, made its statement after
speculation mounted that it was considering selling the
company.

Salton sells appliances under the George Foreman and
Toastmaster brands and a newspaper report, citing unnamed
sources, said the company may fetch as much as $500 million.
(Editing by Matthew Lewis)