OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Billionaire Warren Buffett says there's no chance his friend Bill Gates will return to lead Microsoft Corp. as CEO.

Buffett was asked about whether Gates might return to Microsoft when current CEO Steve Ballmer retires in less than a year during an appearance on Bloomberg television Tuesday.

Buffett says Gates is doing what he loves leading the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and he has more than a full-time job with the charity.

Buffett and Gates are close friends, and Buffett has entrusted the Gates Foundation with giving away the bulk of his fortune over time. Gates also serves on the board of Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate.