WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday Afghan President Hamid Karzai must follow through on promises to fight corruption and urged the re-integration of Taliban members who renounced violence.

Defending President Barack Obama's revised strategy for the Afghan war, Clinton said Karzai's new term offered a window of opportunity but his words must be matched with action and corrupt officials apprehended.

She backed an Afghan-led effort to bring in moderate Taliban who renounced violence. All Afghans should have the choice to pursue a better future if they do so peacefully, respect the basic human rights of their fellow citizens, and renounce al Qaeda, she told lawmakers.

(Reporting by Sue Pleming, editing by Vicki Allen)

Afghanistan Barack obama Hillary Clinton