US President Barack Obama congratulated Hamid Karzai on his re-election as President of Afghanistan and asked him to improve governance, besides eradicating corruption.

Congratulating Karzai over telephone on his re-election on Tuesday, Obama told the Afghan leader that his administration needs to be more serious in its efforts to eradicate corruption.

Later, Obama said that Karzai assured him that he understood the importance of the time of his re-election.

“But as I indicated to him, the proof is not going to be in words, it is going to be in deeds,” Obama said.

Informing reporters about his call with Karzai, Obama said at his Oval Office, “I spoke with President Karzai and I congratulated him on his election for the second term as President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.”

Although the process was messy, the US President said he was pleased with the final outcome as it was in accordance with Afghan law.

This, according to him, was important not only for the international community that has invested so much in Afghan success, but most importantly, is important for the Afghans that the results were in accordance with and followed the rules laid down by the country’s constitution.

“I did emphasize to President Karzai that the American people and the international community as a whole want to continue to partner with him and his government in achieving prosperity and security in Afghanistan,” Obama said.