France's prime minister presided over a weekly Cabinet meeting Wednesday in place of President Jacques Chirac, who is hospitalized with a vascular problem that impaired his vision. It was the first time since Chirac took office in 1995 that he had missed the weekly gathering of ministers. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin met with Chirac for an hour at Val de Grace military hospital before attending the Cabinet meeting, held at the premier's residence instead of the presidential Elysee Palace. Afterward, government spokesman Jean-Francois Cope said Chirac was "in very good form" and confirmed that he would be released from the hospital before the end of the week. Chirac was hospitalized Friday night for what doctors said was a "small vascular accident" that troubled his vision in one eye. A medical update Monday said he showed very favorable progress, and his condition was receding. The 72-year-old president spoke Tuesday by telephone with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, the latest sign that the French leader is determined to work as his health improves. It was still not clear whether Chirac would make his planned trip to New York on Sept. 13-15 for a U.N. summit. Cope said details about Chirac's schedule would come out when he is released from the hospital, The Associated Press reported.
