PARIS, March 1 (Reuters) - Shares in Danone rose 1.9% on Monday after the French food group said it was taking a first step toward selling its stake in its Chinese dairy partner Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, and would use the gains to buy back its own shares. “We see this as a further positive step in tidying up Danone’s non-core portfolio and a signal of serious intent on the portfolio generally, consistent with recent announcements,” wrote Jefferies analysts in a note. Danone, whose Chairman and Chief Executive Emmanuel Faber has come under growing pressure as shareholders push for changes at the group to improve its performance, is due to hold a board meeting later in the day, said a source familiar with the matter.