Afghan officials have announced graft investigations into five former and current cabinet members amid mounting pressure to fight government corruption.

Deputy Attorney General Fazel Ahmad Faqiryar said on Monday at least two current cabinet members were under investigation, but declined to name the ministers.

A further 15 former ministers as well as two officials from the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs, are also being questioned, Faqiryar told the BBC.

He said some of those people under investigation had already presented themselves for questioning, adding Interpol had been asked to help repatriate others who were abroad.

The decision follows President Hamid Karzai's inaugural speech last week in which he vowed to 'eradicate' government corruption. He also pledged to force top officials to declare their assets, announce a new anti-corruption unit and ensure ministers were 'competent and just'.

Sworn into office for a second term following a fraud-tainted election, Karzai has been under escalating pressure from the West to battle widespread corruption in his administration.

Karzai is expected to name his new cabinet in the coming weeks.

MRS/MTM/DT