US Secretary of State John Kerry has broken his right leg in a cycling accident in the Alps near Scionzier, France.

His injury has led him to cancel visits to Madrid and Paris in order to return to the US for treatment. He is expected to make a full recovery.

A state department official said it appeared Kerry hit a curb and there was no vehicle involved. He was flown by medical helicopter to Geneva’s main hospital.

The 71-year-old is a keen cyclist and often travels with his own bike on official trips.

The accident occured while out cycling a day after meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Geneva where he had been attempting to make a breakthrough in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.