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Mauritania’s President Wounded in Accidental Shooting, Officials Say Mauritania’s President Is Wounded in Accidental Shooting, Officials Say
(35 minutes later)
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (Reuters) — President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was “lightly wounded” after a military patrol accidentally fired on his convoy, the government said Saturday.NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (Reuters) — President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was “lightly wounded” after a military patrol accidentally fired on his convoy, the government said Saturday.
Mr. Abdel Aziz was being treated at a military hospital in Nouakchott, Mauritania’s capital, according to government and military officials.Mr. Abdel Aziz was being treated at a military hospital in Nouakchott, Mauritania’s capital, according to government and military officials.
The officials did not give further details, and it was not immediately clear why the patrol opened fire on the presidential convoy.The officials did not give further details, and it was not immediately clear why the patrol opened fire on the presidential convoy.
Communications Minister Hamdi Ould Mahjoub, speaking on national television, said the soldiers in the patrol “did not recognize” the presidential convoy as it passed by.Communications Minister Hamdi Ould Mahjoub, speaking on national television, said the soldiers in the patrol “did not recognize” the presidential convoy as it passed by.
“The president was shot on that occasion, but he is lightly wounded and his life is not threatened,” Mr. Mahjoub said.“The president was shot on that occasion, but he is lightly wounded and his life is not threatened,” Mr. Mahjoub said.
Mr. Abdel Aziz was elected in 2009 after taking power in a 2008 coup, and many Western nations, including France, consider him to be an important ally in the fight against Al Qaeda in West Africa. He has faced some protests over complaints about corruption and his handling of a recent food crisis.Mr. Abdel Aziz was elected in 2009 after taking power in a 2008 coup, and many Western nations, including France, consider him to be an important ally in the fight against Al Qaeda in West Africa. He has faced some protests over complaints about corruption and his handling of a recent food crisis.
Government forces blocked roads leading to the military hospital, but security did not appear to be heightened around the presidential palace or other official buildings, witnesses said.Government forces blocked roads leading to the military hospital, but security did not appear to be heightened around the presidential palace or other official buildings, witnesses said.
Mauritania carried out numerous military operations against the bases of militants in neighboring Mali before a rebellion in that country this year split it in two, placing its vast desert in the hands of armed groups linked to Al Qaeda.Mauritania carried out numerous military operations against the bases of militants in neighboring Mali before a rebellion in that country this year split it in two, placing its vast desert in the hands of armed groups linked to Al Qaeda.