A man stabbed in the neck near the US Embassy in Cairo on Thursday has been identified as Chris Stone, an American academic.

Stone is associate professor of Arabic and head of the Arabic Programme at City University in New York and has been on sabbatical to conduct research into the late Egyptian musician El-Sheikh Emam.

He was recently appointed by the American University in Cairo (AUC) to head the U.S.-based Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA).

Lebanese political science professor Asaad Abu Khalil described Stone via Facebook as a “model academic and a man who has dealt with Arabs and their causes with extreme respect, sensitivity, and support.”

Stone is a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and writes frequently against Zionism, Khalil added.

On Thursday, Al-Ahram Arabic news website said the suspected attacker had been referred by Cairo’s security chief to the general prosecution for investigation.

According to Al-Ahram, Stone told prosecutors the attack took place while he was on his way to the US Embassy to finish some paperwork for his wife.

A young man enquired about his nationality and stabbed him in the neck after he said he was American.

The American University issued a statement on Friday saying Professor Stone is expected to make a full recovery and should be released from the hospital within several days.