UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations said Thursday it has received a letter from Syria stating its intention to join the chemical weapons treaty which bans the production, stockpiling and use of the deadly weapons.

The letter of “accession” is being translated, UN associate spokesman Farhan Haq said.

“This starts the process under way” to become a party to the treaty, he said.

The letter arrived at UN headquarters two days after Syria announced that it was prepared to sign the international treaty it long has rejected.

The Chemical Weapons Convention requires all parties to the treaty to declare and destroy whatever chemical weapons they may possess.