The Russian parliament voted on Thursday to extend Russia's lease of a naval base in Syria for 49 years, following Vladimir Putin's announcement of a partial pullout of Russian troops from the war-torn country. Putin earlier this month ordered a partial withdrawal from Syria but said Russia would keep its military presence there. The State Duma voted to ratify an agreement with Syria, submitted by Putin, for Russia to keep its warships at the Mediterranean base in Tartus for 49 years. The parliament vote came as the eight round of "technical" talks over Syria that are brokered by Russia, Iran and Turkey resumed in Kazakhstan's capital of Astana. Syria's state news agency SANA, said the government delegation met in Astana on Thursday with the Iranian and Russian delegations.

Source: ABC News December 21, 2017 08:15 UTC