Washington - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was forced to cancel a World Refugee Day event with actress Angelina Jolie Thursday, after fracturing her elbow in a fall, her spokeswoman said.

The injury occurred when Clinton was on her way to the White House for a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, her spokesman told CNN.

She was taken for a check up at the George Washington University Hospital, before being sent home.

Clinton is expected to resume her duties later in the week, and praised the "professionalism and kindness" of hospital staff. (dpa)