TARTUS, SYRIA (CNN) - The Russian Navy will be using the Syrian naval facility in Tartus, Syria, for the next 49 years, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.
That news came after country's upper chamber of parliament on Tuesday approved an agreement to expand the facility. The agreement would allow Russian vessels, including nuclear-powered cruisers, to use the facility free of charge for the entire period.
In the meantime, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Tuesday that permanent groupings will also be stationed at the Hmeymim Airbase, Syria, according to TASS.
Tartus lies on Syria's Mediterranean coast between Lebanon to the south, and Turkey to the north. Russia's naval facility in the port city dates back to the days of the former Soviet empire.
It is also the only Russian base in the Mediterranean.
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