Mauritanian President shot accidentally, slightly injured

Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - Mauritania's President Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz was 'lightly wounded' after his convoy was accidentally shot at by soldiers at a military camp Saturday, government officials said.

Speaking on national television, government spokesman and Communications Minister Hamdi Ould Mahjoub said the unit that fired on the president's convoy did not recognise it as it made its way back to the nation's capital, Nouakchott.

The incident occurred some 30 kilometres from Nouakchott.

The minister said the President was treated at a military hospital in the city, and that he is fine.

Reports that the shooting was a result of an assassination attempt on the President was denied by the government.

Ould Abdel Aziz, a former army general, came to power via a military coup in 2008 that ousted Sidi Ould Cheick Abdallahi. He was subsequently elected President in 2009.

Mauritania has been put on high alert in recent times, apparently due to fears of incursions from terrorists groups from neighbouring Mali, the northern part of which is in the hands of rebels and Islamists.
-0- PANA SAS/JSG/JEN/SEG 14Oct2012