Turkish PM Ecevit in hospital

Ecevit has dominated the DSP party since it was founded in 1985

ANKARA, Turkey (CNN) -- Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit was hospitalised on Saturday with stomach and back pains, and was expected to undergo tests for the next few days, his doctor said.

The condition of the 77-year-old Ecevit was not considered life-threatening, Dr. Turgut Zileli said at Baskent Hospital.

Ecevit has dominated the Democratic Left Party (DSP) since it was founded in 1985 -- by his wife, Rahsan -- and led it to a narrow victory in the 1999 elections.

Ecevit, a secularist with a pro-Western stance, was elected to parliament in 1957 for the centre-left Republican People's Party and served as prime minister in 1974, 1977 and 1978-79.

The staunchly nationalist Ecevit is also known for authorising Turkey's military intervention in Cyprus and for the 1999 capture of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan.