In many cases the shareholders supported the foreign bid.

"As long as we can start to build circulation and there is an indentifiable pattern of growth, our shareholders will support us."

Barclays, however, may find it difficult to persuade shareholders to support the combination, analysts said.

Warner Chilcott said it would ask shareholders to support the bid.

Other True North shareholders supported the deal and it was overwhelmingly approved.

On business relations, the brothers convinces the other major shareholders to support them.

The company's shareholders have been supporting him through this battle for more than a year.

He said he believed that the company's three major shareholders, which control about 40 percent of the shares, would also support the sale.

"We do not believe the shareholders will support you and turn over to you control of their $9 billion investment."

It was unclear whether current shareholders, who stand to see their holdings diluted by 60 percent, would support the plan.