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Jimmy Carter will spend night in Cleveland hospital

By the CNN Wire Staff
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Jimmy Carter hospitalized in Cleveland
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • NEW: President Obama calls the former president
  • Jimmy Carter will spend Tuesday night in a hospital
  • Carter was in Cleveland on his book tour
  • The former president is resting comfortably in a hospital, the Carter Center said
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(CNN) -- Former President Jimmy Carter, who had an upset stomach during a flight to Cleveland, Ohio, will spend the night in the hospital before resuming his book tour Wednesday, the Carter Center said in a statement.

Carter was taken Tuesday morning to MetroHealth Hospital, where he was under observation and resting comfortably, the Atlanta, Georgia-based center said. His doctor recommended he stay the night at the hospital to rest, officials said.

"He is fully alert and participating in all decision-making related to his care," the hospital said about Carter, who received a phone call from President Barack Obama. "The decision to admit him overnight is purely precautionary."

Emergency personnel were called to an incoming Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta for a passenger who felt sick, reported CNN affiliate WEWS. Upon arrival, they learned that the passenger was the former president.

Airport emergency crews performed an initial checkup and then transported Carter to the hospital.

Carter, who will turn 86 on Friday, was in Cleveland to sign copies of his new book, "White House Diary," at Joseph-Beth Booksellers at noon. About 400 people were still waiting at the store for Carter's appearance.

He is expected to resume his book tour later this week, the Carter Center said.

He and former first lady Rosalynn Carter are known as fitness buffs who maintain active lifestyles.

Carter recently returned from a trip to North Korea, where he secured the freedom of U.S. citizen Mahli Gomes.

During a September 20 appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live," Carter said he planned to stay busy in the future.

"I'll stay involved in the Carter Center as long as I'm physically and mentally able," he said. "I'm still a professor at Emory University. This is my 29th year as a professor. And I'll still write a book every now and then."

CNN's Allan Chernoff, Meg Miller, Mark Norman and Eden Pontz contributed to this report.