DAMASCUS, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Syria and Russia have reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the future of Russia's military presence at the Hmeimim air base and the Tartous naval facility, following about 18 months of intensive negotiations, Syrian authorities said Sunday.

Under the MoU, Syria will assume management of civilian-use facilities, most notably Hmeimim Airport and the fourth commercial berth at the port of Tartous, and gradually incorporate them into civilian administration, Syrian state news agency SANA reported, citing foreign affairs authorities' Media and Communications Department.

The two countries agreed that military bases and other military facilities will be redefined as joint training and qualification centers under new arrangements aimed at safeguarding mutual interests, SANA reported.

The MoU sets a timeframe of no more than three months to complete the transition, after which the new arrangements will take effect, it reported.

Russia has maintained a military presence in Syria for years, with Hmeimim air base in Latakia province and the naval facility in Tartous serving as its two principal military installations in the country.