Germany and US appeal for Karzai to fight corruption in Afghanistan

Germany and US appeal for Karzai to fight corruption in AfghanistanBerlin - Germany and the US called for Afghan President Hamid Karzai to lead a more determined fight against corruption, during bilateral talks on the fringes of Monday's 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the international community would continue to support Afghanistan, warning however that Karzai's government would need to show "an even greater commitment," to fight corruption and increase transparency within public authorities.

"We are prepared to do our bit," added German Foreign Minster Guido Westerwelle after meeting his US counterpart, who was in Berlin for celebrations marking 20 years since the Berlin Wall opened on November 9, 1989.

The German foreign minister appealed for a "government for the entire Afghan population."

Karzai was last month declared winner of Afghanistan's presidential election, after a planned runoff was scrapped. Karzai's challenger Abdullah Abdullah had accused him of rigging the vote, and said a second round would also be subject to manipulation. (dpa)