NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- Carl Icahn isn't planning on attending Yahoo Inc.'s ( YHOO) annual shareholder meeting on Friday, the billionaire activist investor said on his blog Thursday morning, but he believes he will be able to spark a friendship with Yahoo executives.

Icahn, who will join Yahoo's board as part of an agreement to settle his proxy battle with the company, doesn't plan to voice his opinion at the shareholder meeting. He had originally been fighting with the Internet giant over its rejection of a bid by Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) to buy the company. But Icahn said attending the shareholder meeting wouldn't be beneficial to anyone.

"The proxy fight is over and it will not do shareholders or Yahoo any good to have the annual meeting turn into a media event for no purpose," he wrote on The Icahn Report.

Icahn said he met with both Yahoo Chief Executive Jerry Yang and Chairman Roy Bostock a few days ago and is hopeful they will be able to work together.

"I believe both gentlemen genuinely wish that we will be able to work together to enhance value," Icahn said. "While we still disagree on many points, I have great hope this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

Yahoo shares were recently flat at $20.03.

-By Steven Russolillo, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-2205; steven.russolillo@ dowjones.com

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  07-31-08 1038ET
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