The ventilator was lifted from the British novelist Salman Rushdie and he was able to speak, a day after the stabbing incident, according to the BBC Arabic website.

The 75-year-old writer was attacked while speaking at a seminar in New York and was in critical condition.

His agent, Andrew Wylie, confirmed the news to the US media but earlier stated that Rushdie might lose one of his eyes.

The man accused of the attack pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder on Saturday and was remanded in custody without bail.

Immediately after he was attacked on the platform of a cultural center in Chautauqua, northwest New York, Rushdie was taken by helicopter to the nearest hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. His agent promised on Twitter to provide regular information about the health status of the 75-year-old novelist who has lived in New York for several years.

Carl Levan, a political science professor who was in the hall, told AFP that a man rushed to the podium where Rushdie was sitting and "stabbed him violently several times." The witness said that the attacker "tried to kill Salman Rushdie."

Police identified the suspect as Hadi Matar, 24, of Fairfield, New Jersey.

Hadi Matar, 24, was accused of storming the podium and stabbing Rushdie ten times in the face, neck, and abdomen. After the attack, Willy said Rushdie had suffered a severe nerve in his arm, damaged his liver, and almost lost an eye.

Many writers and scholars tweeted on social media, expressing relief for the novelist, and were pleased to learn that he is now able to speak.