World Bulletin / News Desk 

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in a stable condition in a Geneva hospital after being injured in an accident while cycling in the Alps near Scionzier, France on Sunday, his spokesman said.

The accident occurred while Kerry was out cycling the day after meetings with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Geneva to try to overcome obstacles in negotiations on curbing Tehran's nuclear programme.

He was flown by medical helicopter from the scene of the accident to Geneva's main public hospital, where he was being examined, spokesman John Kirby said.

"Secretary Kerry is stable and likely suffered a leg injury. He did not lose consciousness," Kirby said, adding that paramedics and a doctor were on the scene with Kerry's motorcade at the time of the accident.

The 71-year-old secretary of state is an avid cyclist and often takes his own bike on official trips abroad.

A senior State Department official said it appeared Kerry hit a curb and there was no vehicle involved in the accident.

He was due to travel to Madrid, Spain, later on Sunday before heading to Paris for a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi and members of a U.S-supported coalition fighting the ISIL.

Kerry cancels visits to Madrid, Paris, returns to United States after bicycle accident

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has cancelled visits to Madrid and Paris to return to the United States for treatment after a bicycle accident near Geneva on Sunday, a U.S. spokesman said.

Kerry broke his right femur but the injury is not life-threatening and he is expected to make a full recovery, the spokesman said.