Eni SpA (E) will stop supplying fuel to Alitalia SpA after this weekend unless it is satisfied the unprofitable Italian airline can continue to operate, said the oil company's Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni Friday.

"If we see reassurances from [Alitalia's] board [on the airlines' survival], then we will continue to provide fuel," said Mr. Scaroni in comments broadcast on SkyTG24 on the sidelines of a conference in Brussels .

"If we don't [see these reassurances], then we won't," added Mr. Scaroni.

Alitalia's board is scheduled to meet later Friday.

Late Thursday, Prime Minister Enrico Letta's coalition government said state-owned postal service Poste Italiane SpA was ready to become a partner of Alitalia and participate in a planned capital increase, in a move that may save the struggling airline from imminent bankruptcy.

Alitalia officials have said they need to raise at least 455 million euros, (about $615 million), from shareholders and creditors.

Air France-KLM SA (AF.FR), Alitalia's biggest shareholder, with a 25% stake, has been reluctant to contribute because of its own financial difficulties.
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