DAMSASCUS (Reuters) - Syria's new ruling administration has cancelled a contract with a Russian firm to manage and operate the country's Tartous port that was signed under former President Bashar al-Assad, according to three Syrian businessmen and media reports.

Assad, the Russian-backed dictator of Syria, has led to Russia needing to evacuate its military presence from the country. To achieve this, in addition to airlifting the most valuable equipment, Russia has dispatched ships to Syria to remove the remaining assets.

The new authorities in Syria ended an agreement with the Russian company managing the key port of Tartous in the latest sign of Russia's waning influence in the country after the fall of the regime.

Assad, the Russian-backed dictator of Syria, has resulted in Russia needing to evacuate its military contingent from the country. To achieve this, alongside airlifting its most valuable equipment, Russia has dispatched ships to Syria to remove the remaining assets.