Syrian President Bashar Assad’s wife, Asma Assad, diagnosed with leukaemia

Syria’s first lady Asma Assad, second left, with her husband Syrian President Bashar Assad (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

Syrian first lady Asma Assad has been diagnosed with leukaemia, the office of President Bashar Assad has announced.

The president’s wife was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia “after presenting with several symptoms and following a comprehensive series of medical tests and examinations,” the statement said.