WASHINGTON - TWO US Senators called Wednesday for the creation of a special task force to investigate and prosecute any crimes involved in the events leading to the global financial crisis.

In a letter to US Attorney-General Eric Holder, Democratic Senators Byron Dorgan and Maria Cantwell noted that a similar task force was created during the fraud scandal that brought down US energy giant Enron.

'There needs to be a comprehensive investigation bringing organisation and focus to this sprawling and complex crisis. That is why a task force is essential and, frankly, long overdue,' they wrote.

The task force would be 'dedicated solely to investigating and prosecuting those responsible for creating, causing or contributing to the financial crisis that is devastating our entire economy', the lawmakers said.

The appeal came as the US Congress fumed over big bonuses at the bailed-out insurer American International Group (AIG) amid a paralysing recession that has cost millions of US jobs and a wave of home foreclosures.

'While this financial wreckage can be attributed in part to bad decisions and incompetence, it is also clear that some of the conduct and activities were simply illegal. It must all be thoroughly investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted,' Senator Dorgan and Senator Cantwell wrote. -- AFP