Responding to a question asked in France’s National Assembly, Combes said that while he plans to leave the company, no date for his departure has been set.
French magazine Challenges earlier reported that Combes is due to step down in mid-July to join cable group Altice in September 2015.
Combes told lawmakers that he would not leave the company until the sale to Nokia was safely on track. The deal is expected to be completed in early 2016.
"After having dedicated two years of my life to Alcatel-Lucent, I would do nothing to weaken it," he said, adding that a transitional leadership structure will be put in place to ensure the completion of the Nokia deal.
Alcatel-Lucent has neither confirmed nor denied Combes' appointment to Altice.
