TOKYO, JAPAN: Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said on Thursday that it could look to extend its search engine partnership with Yahoo outside the U.S., if it gets regulatory approval.

"It's possible that we will extend that partnership (with Yahoo) outside the U.S.," Ballmer told reporters at a news conference. "We will have to wait and see if we can get approval and consummate that partnership inside the U.S. first."