So far, Yeltsin had presided over the meetings of the Security Council in the capacity of its chairman.

The meeting focused on the political stability in Russia in the run-up to the parliamentary elections, scheduled to be held later this year and presidential election in mid-2000. In his opening remarks, Primakov made a scathing attack on ``economic criminals'' who what he said taking advantage of the economic crisis were provoking ``political, religious and national extremism'' in the country, ahead of the parliamentary and presidential elections.

He vowed to fight ``political speculators,'' saying his Government would take ``tough measures'' to clamp down on these elements, openly making fascistcalls.

Earlier, addressing the lawmakers at the State Duma, Parliament's Lower House, Primakov promised to ``step up struggle'' against crime and corruption.

``Maybe someone doesn't like it,'' he said, referring to his recent drive against corruption. ``But we will go ahead on this way and nobody can deflect us from this way,'' he added to applause from lawmakers.This week, Prosecutor General's Office and Federal Security Service carried out several raids on the business premises of media mogul and influential financier Boris Berezovsky.

Meanwhile, making a rare gift to Primakov, the Duma approved the 1999 budget on a fourth and final reading.

The budget will no go to the Federation Council, the Upper House, where it's expected to be passed in a single reading for signature by Yeltsin.The approval of the budget was considered necessary for the much-needed credits from the International Monetary Fund, which has withheld the installments, worth billions of dollars, in the absence of a ``realisticbudget.''