Former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff was yesterday in fine spirits, according to his daughter, sipping coffee and eating cake at his hospital bed just 10 days after fighting for his life in intensive care.

People will be very surprised to see me on the streets again very soon

Yana Mintoff Bland, who was by his bedside yesterday morning, told The Sunday Times his recovery was “pretty miraculous”.

The 95-year-old has defied death numerous times in the past years, and Ms Mintoff Bland sighed and smiled with relief that he was still alive “against all odds”.

The former Labour leader, who turns 96 next Monday, was admitted in a critical condition on July 19 suffering from pulmonary edema – fluid accumulation in the lungs – but he started to stabilise the next day.

Two days ago a medical bulletin said his condition had improved “remarkably” and he no longer required care in the hospital’s Intensive Therapy Unit.

Mr Mintoff is now receiving treatment at the Critical Coronary Care Unit and Ms Mintoff Bland said her father was making “great progress”.

“We’re very grateful to all those who helped him or are thinking of him. We’re hopeful he’ll be out of hospital soon,” she said.

Mr Mintoff was last in hospital in February. At the time he suffered a severe chest infection and heart failure, but managed to pull through.

He was also admitted to Mater Dei and Gozo General Hospital several times last year as he became increasingly frail.

Mr Mintoff is fully aware how lucky he is to have cheated death yet again and told his daughter: “People will be very surprised to see me on the streets again very soon.”