Barnes & Noble shareholders back chairman

NEW YORK (AP) - Shareholders of bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc. are backing Chairman Leonard Riggio in a contentious proxy battle.

A preliminary vote, announced at Barnes & Noble's annual meeting in New York, ends a feud between the bookseller and billionaire investor Ron Burkle that included a court battle. It comes at a turning point in the industry as booksellers work through a transition to electronic books.

Shareholders voted for three seats up for election out of nine total.

Burkle and his Yucaipa Cos., which owns a 19 percent stake in Barnes & Noble, contended that Riggio is not operating the company in the best interest of shareholders. Barnes & Noble said Burkle is trying to take control of the company without paying a fair price. Both dispute the other's claims.