Addressing a press conference in Damascus, Al-Wez said the Education Ministry has taken a decision to adopt the Russian language in the curriculum where there will be an option for students to choose between both languages of Russian and French starting from seventh grade.

He added that all required grounds have been already paved for the upcoming academic year to teach Russian language in a number of schools within certain curriculum up to related teachers.

Russia remains a strong supporter of President Bashar al-Assad's government and has blocked several UNSC resolutions against his government.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.

NJF/NJF