West Asian giant in talks to buy Sahara's majority stake in US hotels

Sahara maintains that it has already refunded more than 95 per cent of investors' money

Embattled Sahara group is in talks with a large West Asian enterprise for sale of its majority stake in two prime New York hotels -- including the iconic Plaza which was once owned by Donald Trump -- estimated to command a billion-dollar valuation.

Sahara holds 85 per cent in New York's Dream Downtown hotel and 70 per cent in the Plaza, where Trump -- then a real estate tycoon and owner of the luxurious property -- married his second wife Marla Maples in December 1993.

Name of the interested buyer from Middle East could not be ascertained but those having