Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday ruled out resignation amid the corruption scandal involving the ruling Labor Party (PT).

Before the Economic and Social Development Council, a consultative body of the presidency comprising union workers, businessmen and civil society representatives, Lula said he would face with patience the crisis unleashed by allegations that the PT had paid bribes to legislators for support of his government.

The president vowed to stay on after opinion polls showed for the first time two weeks ago that he could lose next year's elections to Jose Serra, the Social Democratic Sao Paolo mayor who was defeated by Lula in 2002.

The survey by Datafolha pollsters showed Serra got 48 percent of the vote, compared with 39 percent for Lula, who had a positive rating of 59.9 percent in July as the favorite to win the 2006 elections.

While mentioning some of Brazilian heads of state brought down by crises, Lula said he would not follow them. "I have peace of mind...my behavior will include patience, patience and patience," he said.

"Truth will appear. If it depends on my patience, it could take one or three months, or even two years," said Lula.

The federal police have made public a telephone conversation recorded in August 2004 between former cabinet chief Jose Dirceu and ex-party treasurer Delubio Soares on a scandal-linked payment.

According to TV Globo, both officials agreed to the payment in exchange for political backing from allied lawmakers.

Five top government officials have stepped down in the weeks-long scandal, including Dirceu and PT President Jose Genoino.

(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2005)