Charlie Rose Show: Al-Assad denies Syrian link to Hariri's murder

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has denied his government had any role in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri, according to excerpts of an interview with a US television network.

"Nobody threatened him in Syria, me or nobody else...this is not my way," Assad, speaking in English, told PBS television's "The Charlie Rose Show."

The public broadcaster released excerpts of the hour-long interview, which was conducted in Damascus, a day before it was due to be aired on Monday.

Belgian prosecutor Serge Brammertz, who is leading the investigation, has said that Syria's cooperation will be crucial to continued progress in the probe.

Speaking of Syria's alleged role in Hariri's murder, al-Assad said "First of all, let me tell you, I'm sure there's no such evidence, 100 percent."

Al-Assad also referred to Hariri as "a friend to Syria."