UPDATE 1-US atty general vital signs strong after collapse

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WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey is "conscious, conversant and alert" at a local Washington hospital after collapsing while delivering a speech at a hotel, the U.S. Justice Department said late on Thursday.

"His vital statistics are strong and he is in good spirits," department spokesman Peter Carr said in a statement. "The doctors will keep him overnight for further observations."

Mukasey was taken to George Washington University Hospital.

Hecollapsed while delivering a speech on national security, the Justice Department said. (Reporting by James Vicini, editing by Philip Barbara)