WASHINGTON

The US on Thursday welcomed an agreement between the UK and Mauritius on the future of the Chagos Archipelago as a step forward for regional peace and security.

"We commend both the United Kingdom and Mauritius for their leadership, vision, and commitment to ensure that Diego Garcia remains fully operational for the duration of this agreement," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.

"We look forward to working closely with both governments to strengthen our collaboration in support of regional peace and stability," he added.

The agreement follows a review by the Trump administration, which concluded that the agreement secures the long-term, stable and effective operation of the joint US-UK military facility on Diego Garcia, according to Rubio.

The deal, signed earlier in the day, transfers sovereignty of the Chagos Islands from the UK to Mauritius, while allowing ccntinued US-UK operation of the Diego Garcia military base for the next 99 years.

In the early 19th century, Britain took over the islands after the surrender of the French forces.

Mauritius and its dependencies, including the Chagos Islands, were officially proclaimed a colony of Britain in 1814 under the Treaty of Paris.

The Chagos Archipelago was separated from Mauritius in 1965 by the UK.