Father of Turkish politics, ex-President Suleyman Demirel, has died at the age of 90, Ankara’s Guven Hospital officials say.

Suleyman Demirel, who held office from 1993 to 2000, died early in the morning on June 17 in Guven Hospital.

The former president had reportedly been treated for a respiratory tract infection.

In a political carrier spanning nearly 50 years, Suleyman Demirel also served seven times as Turkey’s prime minister. His government was twice overthrown by the country’s powerful military.

Suleyman Demirel led the Justice Party from 1964 until a military coup in 1980, which led to him and other politicians being banned from politics.

The ban was lifted in 1987, when Suleyman Demirel formed the True Path Party (DYP) and became president six years later.