UN says it welcomes the signing of the agreement between UK government and the government of the Republic of Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago.

Britain signed an agreement Thursday to hand sovereignty over the contested Chagos Islands to Mauritius, a move the government says ensures the future of a U.S.-U.K. military base that is vital to British security.

The governments of Britain and Mauritius have reached a final deal to settle the future of the Chagos Islands but have been barred from signing it by a British judge. The contested archipelago in