Broken leg cuts short Kerry's Europe trip

Kerry remained in hospital in Geneva overnight and will return to the United States for further treatment on Monday, the State Department said.

Spokesman John Kirby said X-rays had confirmed Kerry fractured his right femur, and that he was expected to make a full recovery.

The 71-year-old fell from his bike on Sunday near Scionzier, near Chamonix in the French Alps, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Swiss border. A local newspaper reported that the accident occurred en route to the Col de la Colombiere mountain pass, which has been part of the Tour de France route more than a dozen times.

He was treated by paramedics and a physician in his motorcade, and was then taken by helicopter to the Geneva University Hospital.

The secretary of state had planned to travel to Madrid later on Sunday for meetings with Spain's king and prime minister, before spending two days in Paris for an international conference on the fight against "Islamic State" terrorists.

But Kirby said Kerry would participate in the Paris conference remotely, and described his mood as being "in great spirits."

On Saturday, Kerry held talks in Geneva with his Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif, as both sides work to seal a comprehensive nuclear deal by June 30. Kerry has been the lead negotiator in several marathon sessions with Iran, going back to 2013.

Kerry is an avid cyclist and his rides have become a regular occurrence on his trips. He often takes his bike with him overseas and was riding that bicycle when he fell.

jr/cmk (AFP, AP)