Hospital discharges Turkish PM

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

ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has been discharged from hospital after tests showed he has been suffering from a minor intestinal infection.

Ecevit's health has been a major concern for financial markets and the fractious three-party coalition government as it presses a $16 billion IMF-backed recovery plan.

The prime minister told reporters as he left hospital: "Perhaps I will have to rest at home for a few days, but I can work there too."

There were concerns that a serious or prolonged illness could cause jitters in the financial markets.

Markets, which reopen on Monday after the weekend, see stability in the government coalition as essential to press a $16 billion International Monetary Fund-backed reform programme.

Doctor Turgut Zileli told reporters: "He can start working on Monday and he can travel. He has an intestinal infection but had a comfortable night."

Ecevit was discharged from Baskent Hospital on Sunday afternoon.

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.