The US is set to become isolated in its stance on the Paris climate agreement, after reports that Syria is preparing to join the deal.
The Paris deal unites the world's nations in tackling climate change.
Syria and Nicaragua were the only nations outside the deal when it was agreed in 2015. Nicaragua signed in October.
In June the US said it would withdraw, but the rules of the agreement state that this cannot be done until 2020.
Meanwhile, French officials said US President Donald Trump had not been invited to December's climate summit in Paris.
More than 100 countries have been invited to the summit, which is aimed at "building coalitions" with finance and business to further the accord, an aide to French President Emmanuel Macron said.
Syrian officials at the current climate talks in Bonn, Germany, were quoted as telling delegates of the 196 participating nations that the country was about to send the UN its ratification documents.
The accord would be signed "as soon as possible", AP quoted one Syrian delegate as saying.
Correspondents say Syria was effectively an international pariah when the accord was first signed, and sanctions would have made it difficult for officials to attend the discussions in Paris.
Also, the meetings coincided with some of the fiercest fighting in Syria's civil war, meaning the country was in no position to sign.
Announcing the US decision in June, Mr Trump said it was part of his "solemn duty to protect America" and he would seek a new deal that would not disadvantage US businesses.
He claimed that the accord would cost the US 6.5 million jobs and $3tn (£2.2tn) in lost GDP - while rival economies like China and India were treated more favourably.
A US statement issued in October when Nicaragua signed the agreement said the US would withdraw "unless we can re-enter on terms that are more favourable for our country". White House spokeswoman Kelly Love said there had been no change in Washington's position since then.
Responding to the Syrian move, environmental NGO the Sierra Club issued a statement attacking the US position: "As if it wasn't already crystal clear, every single other country in the world is moving forward together to tackle the climate crisis, while Donald Trump has isolated the United States on the world stage in an embarrassing and dangerous position."
Scientists point out that work to implement the Paris accord must be stepped up if it is to have any chance of success.
Historically, the US, Europe and China account for almost half of the world's carbon emissions.
Photo copyright: GETTY IMAGES (Caption: Syria's decision was reported at the Bonn climate conference)