Asma al-Assad, wife of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has been diagnosed with leukemia, the presidency said on Tuesday, almost five years after she announced she had fully recovered from breast cancer.

The presidency said in a statement that she will adhere to a specialized treatment protocol that includes stringent infection prevention measures and appropriate social distancing.

"The First Lady will temporarily withdraw from all direct engagements as part of her treatment plan," the statement added.

(With input from agencies)