PARIS, Oct 6: Bertrand Delanoe, the Mayor of Paris, was stabbed in the stomach on Sunday morning as he took part in an official celebration at Paris City Hall. His assailant, a 39-year old man with a history of drug abuse, was immediately wrestled to the ground by mayoral aides who immediately rushed Mr Delanoe to the Hospital La Pitie Salpetriere where he was immediately operated.

The assault took place in the morning during the City of Paris’ first Nuit Blanche, an event inaugurated by Mr Delanoe who decided to open up all night many of the city’s principal landmarks, among them his own official reception facilities of Paris City Hall, where he was stabbed.

The man, who was only identified as a resident of the Northern Parisian suburb of Bobigny with a police record for rape and drug trafficking, and a history of mental disease, was taken to headquarters of the criminal brigade. Police said that the man remained mute during the first hours of his interrogation.

As for Mayor Delanoe, a spokesman, Christophe Girard, said this morning that the Mayor would be in hospital for as many as 10 days.