Fmr. Pres. Carter leaves hospital

Former President Jimmy Carter left a Cleveland hospital Thursday after a two-day stay due to a stomach ailment he contracted while aboard a commercial flight.

MetroHealth Medical Center announced that Carter, who turns 86 on Friday, left the hospital at 1:15 p.m. after recovering from a gastric viral infection. 

The 39th president was hospitalized Tuesday after landing at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport for a stop on his book tour promoting his new title, White House Diaries.

His illness forced him to cancel several stops on that tour, including one in Washington on Wednesday.

The hospital said in a statement that Carter "thanked his medical team at MetroHealth for the attentive and comprehensive care and treatment he received during his stay. He also again expressed his appreciation to all the members of the public who sent greetings to him."

The hospital added that Carter will resume his schedule this week with a meeting in D.C. related to his work with the Carter Center.