President Yeltsin may visit France next month on what would be his first trip abroad since he fell ill during a tour of Central Asia last October.

A presidential spokesman said Mr Yeltsin's work schedule for January was being worked out and a trip to France was being considered.

Correspondents say the announcement is a further move by President Yeltsin to reassert his authority.

It comes a day after Mr Yeltsin criticised potential successors for mounting presidential campaigns eighteen months before the election.