25 September 2004	Saturday	09 Shaban 1425

WASHINGTON, Sept 24: Co-founder of software firm Microsoft Bill Gates kept his ranking atop the richest people in the United States, boosting his worth to $48 billion, but investor Warren Buffett edged closer, Forbes magazine said on Friday.

The magazine's ranking of the 400 wealthiest people in the US featured Mr Gates at the top for the 11th consecutive year. Mr Gates' net worth increased by $2 billion from a year ago, Forbes said.

Mr Buffett, chairman of the Berkshire Hathaway investment group, boosted his net worth by $5 billion over the year to $41 billion. Ranked third was Paul Allen, who was a co-founder of Microsoft with Mr Gates, even though his fortune dipped by $2 billion to $20 billion. -AFP