Special coverage: London Conference on Afghanistan

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday vowed to fight corruption and called upon the armed anti-government militants to give up militancy and join the peace process.

"Our fight against corruption would continue and those violate the law will be punished," he?said in his opening remarks at an international Conference opened in Afghan capital Kabul.

He also stressed that the anti-corruption body would be strengthened to check corruption in the government departments.

President Karzai also called on Taliban and other armed opposition groups to give up militancy and join the peace process initiated by Afghan government.

"I wish all those have taken arms against the country to give up militancy," Karzai said, adding, "I hope the international community to back our efforts for peace in Afghanistan."

Afghan president also described poppy cultivation and producing drug as a factor for instability, urging the international community to provide alternative crops for Afghan farmers.

The Afghan leader also called upon the international community to help Afghanistan in fighting illiteracy and bring down the rate of maternal mortality.