MINSK, October 2 (RIA Novosti) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko hit out on Friday at what he said was Russia's policy of excluding it from projects to develop its oil and natural gas resources.

"It seems like everyone is doing it - the Americans, Germans are coming [to Russia] to develop [its natural resources], but not Belarusians," Lukashenko said. "Could this be an attempt to keep the state on a short leash? But that is wrong."

He said Russia should allow Belarus "to extract oil and gas on an equal footing with the Americans and Germans."

Lukashenko also said Belarus was extracting oil in Venezuela and had already made its first $100 million in profit. He added that the former Soviet republic was starting to extract in Iran, and next year would move into Africa.

"Unfortunately, we have not received a single field in our dear Russia," he said. "Why not?"