Syria says it joined chemical treaty on Thursday

UNITED NATIONS — Syria says it became a full member of the convention banning the use of chemical weapons as of Thursday but the United Nations says it will take at least another 30 days.

Bashar Ja’afari told reporters he presented the secretary-general with “the instrument of accession” to the Chemical Weapons Convention after President Bashar Assad signed a legislative decree earlier Thursday declaring Syria’s approval to join the treaty.

“With this, the chapter of the so-called chemical weapons will be ended and ... Syria has become, starting today, a full member of the convention,” Ja’afari told reporters.

But U.N. associate spokesman Farhan Haq said “Syria will become a member 30 days after its instrument of accession is deposited.” He said the documentation is still being studied.