moscow russia start establish permanent military presence naval air base syria defense minister say tuesday parliament ratify deal damascus cement russian presence country ria news agency report deal sign jan. 18 expand tartus naval facility russia naval foothold mediterranean grant russian warships access syrian water port viktor bondarev head upper house security defense committee tell ria ria news agency separately quote sergei shoigu say last week commander-in-chief president vladimir putin approve structure base tartus hmeimim air base begin form permanent presence tartus naval facility use since say soviet union small play host large warships accord ria report agreement allow russia keep 11 warships tartus include nuclear vessels agreement last 49 years could prolong hmeimim air base russia launch numerous air strike support president bashar al-assad war rebel use russia indefinitely accord deal russia establish permanent presence syrian base ria