World leaders have expressed shock at the stabbing of famed British author Salman Rushdie at a literary event in the US state of New York on Friday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was horrified that Rushdie was "stabbed while exercising a right we should never cease to defend." He added, "We are all hoping he is okay."

In a statement, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said, "This act of violence is appalling."
He went on to say, "All of us in the Biden-Harris Administration are praying for his speedy recovery."

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Twitter that Rushdie "has just been the victim of a cowardly attack by the forces of hatred and barbarism." He added, "His fight is our fight; it is universal."