Hillary Clinton faints, has concussion

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has fainted and hit her head, sustaining a concussion, her spokesman said Saturday.

"While suffering from a stomach virus, Secretary Clinton became dehydrated and fainted, sustaining a concussion," spokesman Philippe Reines said in a statement. "She has been recovering at home and will continue to be monitored regularly by her doctors."

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses a news conference in Brussels in this Dec 5, 2012 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

Clinton has canceled her scheduled trip to North Africa and the Middle East due to a stomach virus earlier in the week. She originally planned to attend a meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People this week in Morocco.

Reines said at the recommendation of her doctors, Clinton will not be commuting to work next week, but will continue to work from home, and stay in regular contact with department and other officials.

Reports also indicated Clinton will not attend a congressional hearing Thursday about the attack on US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Clinton, 65, has said she does not intend to continue serving as Secretary of State in President Barack Obama's second term.

Obama is said to be considering Senator John Kerry to succeed Clinton, after UN Ambassador Sudan Rice pulled her name out of the president's deliberation in face of fierce Republican opposition in the Senate.