PUTIN SIGNS DEAL TO KEEP SYRIA BASE

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law ratifying a deal with the Syrian government to allow Russia to keep its airbase in Syria for almost half a century.

The original deal, signed in Damascus in January, set out the terms under which Russia can use its Hmeymim air base in Latakia Province, which it has used to carry out air strikes against forces opposing President Bashar al-assad.

Putin approved the agreement after the two chambers of the Russian parliament backed it earlier this month, according to the government’s official information portal.

The document aims to lay down the international legal grounds that will regulate the terms of deployment of the Russia air force grouping in Syria and will provide for the strengthening Russia and Syria’s defense capability proceeding from their mutual intention to consolidate defense cooperation.

The protocol also spells out the conditions for Russia’s jurisdiction over its air force group in the places of its deployments, and the issues related to the status of Russian servicemen, members of their families and civilian personnel.

The document specifies immunities and privileges, as well as the mechanisms for assistance on the issues of jurisdiction and legal aid on cases pertaining to civilian, criminal and administrative offenses.

The document says Russian forces will be deployed at the Hmeymim base for 49 years with the option of extending that arrangement for 25-year periods.

The base has been at the heart of Moscow’s military foray since it intervened in the conflict in September 2015, helping turn the tide in favour of Assad, one of Russia’s closest Middle East allies. Last week, the Syrian president visited the airfield to inspect weapons, personnel and armoured vehicles. He was pictured sitting in the cockpit of a Russian Sukhoi SU-35.

Meanwhile, Russia has deployed military police to monitor the cease-fire in a safe zone in the eastern suburbs of Syria’s Damascus, the chief of the Russian General Staff said on Monday. Russia has been providing air cover for Syrian President Bashar Assad’s offensive against the Islamic State group since 2015 and previously deployed a military police force to patrol the city of Aleppo last year.

The protocol also spells out the conditions for Russia’s jurisdiction over its air force group in the places of its deployments and the issues related to the status of Russian servicemen, members of their families and civilian personnel