Sarkozy insists health is 'fine'

President Sarkozy: "My health is fine. I was suffering from exhaustion"

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is back at work and has declared his "health is good" after he collapsed while jogging on Sunday.

Following his release from hospital on Monday he admitted he needed to scale down on activities in the coming weeks.

"I need to rest," Mr Sarkozy, 54, told reporters outside the Elysee presidential palace in Paris.

He said he would enjoy a quiet summer holiday with his wife Carla Bruni and his children.

He said he had undergone several tests but the results showed nothing abnormal.

'Hyper-president'

Mr Sarkozy's collapse has fuelled fears that his hectic lifestyle is taking its toll on his health.

His often frenetic schedule has earned him the nickname the "hyper-president".

Traditionally the health of the head of state is treated as a private matter in France.

The late Francois Mitterrand kept his prostate cancer secret for most of his time in office as president.

Mr Sarkozy has admitted his 2007 decision not to disclose an operation to treat a throat infection was a mistake, according to AFP news agency.

"When the president of the Republic has a health problem, it is only natural to inform the people," he told reporters at the Elysee news conference.

Apart from cancelling a visit to the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel on the Channel coast, Mr Sarkozy's office has made no mention of other changes to his official schedule.