The Afghan government has launched an anti-corruption unit and a major crime-fighting force on Monday to tackle the widespread corruptions

The unit launched amid stiff international pressure on Karzai to clean up the government after he was declared the winner of the presidential election.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Sunday that the US will not provide any civilian aid to Afghanistan without a way to hold ministries accountable for how funds are used.

British and US ambassadors also stood alongside Afghan ministers on Monday to show their support.

"Corruption is the cancer that is destroying the lives of the people," said Justice Minister Mohammad Sarwar Danish.

“It is affecting the nation's economy, politics and security,” he added.

Law enforcement agencies from Britain and the United States, along with Interpol, helped set up the new unit, Interior Minister Hanif Atmar said.

US Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry praised the launching of the anti-corruption unit saying that, “It requires action. Words are cheap, and deeds are required.”

"Fighting corruption is primarily a matter of willpower and of integrity. It requires that Afghans in positions of responsibility, and indeed all Afghans, say that they will not tolerate this cancer in their society any longer," Eikenberry said.

The unit that has just been launched is reportedly backed by the US and European Union.

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