Russia, Syria sign deal on boosting military presence for 49 years

MOSCOW, Jan 20 (KUNA) -- Russia on Friday unveiled that it has signed an agreement with Syria on the deployment of 11 warships in Tartus naval base for 49 years.
"The current agreement will stay effective for 49 years and be automatically extended for 25-year periods, if neither party makes a 12 months' notice in writing through diplomatic channels of its intention to terminate the agreement's operation," the agreement says.
"Russia will use the facilities subject to joint use on the disinterested basis," it added, according to Russia's TASS news agency.
Up to 11 Russian vessels including nuclear ships will simultaneously stop at the naval facility in Syria's Tartus.
The deal noted that only 11 Russian warships are allowed to stay simultaneously at the maintenance base, in the presence of nuclear-powered combat ships, provided abiding by nuclear and environmental safety.
"The Russian side has the right to bring to the logistics facility through the territory of Syria and evacuate from the logistic facility across Syria any weapons, ammunition, equipment and materials crucial to maintaining the security of the personnel and their families, crewmembers and Russian contractors and to performing missions by Russian ships without any duties levied by the Syrian side," it pointed out.
The Russian parliament approved last October the agreement with Syria that allows a permanent military presence in the country.
Russia has Hmeimim Airbase in the Syrian city of Lattakia from which it launches airstrikes against the opposition of the Syrian regime. (end) as.hm