MINSK -- Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko accused parliament, the media and organized crime of trying to discredit him, but pledged in a television address that he would not be forced from office.


Lukashenko also praised his administration's efforts in improving the former Soviet republic's economy, and promised January pay increases for pensioners, students and laborers.


Last week a parliament deputy accused a number of high-ranking officials in Lukashenko's government of corruption -- a move that resulted in a media blackout on the probe and resignation announcements by three senior officials. Lukashenko, who built his reputation as an anti-corruption crusader before his July election, retaliated by saying the corruption probe consisted of rehashed, unproven accusations.


"The aim is to sling mud at people close to the president," he said late Tuesday in his first public response to the corruption probe and its aftermath. "No one will be able to topple or break me."


Lukashenko condemned parliament for dragging out vital legislation and ordered the assembly to return to work to approve the 1995 budget.


He also justified the media blackout of deputy Sergei Antonchik's probe: "The measures taken are severe, but necessary," he said.


Last week two major newspapers were prevented from publishing and others appeared with white spaces where articles on Antonchik's report had been pulled.


Meanwhile, the editor of the official government newspaper, Sovietskaya Belorussia, was sacked by presidential decree for "financial violations". The paper was also prevented from publishing Tuesday.