MOSCOW, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that a deal reached with Syria on the future of Moscow's military bases in the Middle Eastern country was an important step that would boost ties between the two countries, the state RIA news agency reported.The Syrian foreign ministry was cited by Syria's state news agency on Sunday as saying that Syria and Russia had reached a memorandum of understanding to settle the future of Russian bases at Tartous and Hmeimim following 18 months of intensive negotiations.

Syria and Russia have agreed to end Moscow's use of two strategic Mediterranean coastal bases as military outposts.

DAMASCUS: Syria on Sunday said it reached a memorandum of understanding with Moscow over the fate of Russia’s two bases in the country, agreeing to convert the military facilities…