PARIS and MURRAY HILL, N.J. – Shareholders of Alcatel and Lucent Technologies have approved the merger of the two companies. Both firms held shareholders’ meetings on Thursday. The companies expect to complete the merger transaction by the end of this year, within the 6- to 12-month timeframe predicted when the tentative deal was announced on Apr. 2, which would create a wireless and wireline equipment manufacturer with $25 billion in annual revenues. "I'm delighted that Alcatel's shareholders have approved our strategic merger with Lucent Technologies, and I thank them for their trust," said Serge Tchuruk, Chairman and CEO of Alcatel...