The Latest: Russia ratifies deal on military base in Syria

FILE In this Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 file photo Russian defense ministry spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, file)

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s lower house of parliament has ratified a treaty with Syria that allows the Russian military to stay indefinitely in the Mideast country.

The Kremlin-controlled State Duma voted unanimously Friday to ratify the deal, which formalizes Russia’s military presence at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia.

The move comes as a show of support for embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad. The deal allows Russia to use the base free of charge, and for as long as it requires.

Russia launched an air campaign in Syria a year ago, reversing the tide of war and helping Assad’s forces win back key ground. Moscow says its goal is to help the Syrian army fight terrorism.

Russia also has a naval base in Syria’s port of Tartus.