Mauritanians are voting for the first time since the country gained independence from France in 1960.
The 62-year-old is standing down after serving the maximum two five-year elected terms.
However the status quo is likely to prevail when a new leader is elected.
Abdel Aziz has expressed his support for Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, who is a former general and defense minister.
Bangladesh parties sign reform charter; student and leftist group stays away
Bangladesh's ambitious 'July Charter' for state reform, drafted after last year's deadly student-led uprising, was backed by the majority of political parties on Friday, but a signing ceremony was marred by street violence and boycotted by a key group.
Zelenskyy to seek weapons from Trump in the shadow of new Putin summit
US President Donald Trump will discuss the possible supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday but the surprise announcement of a new US-Russian summit cast doubt over the prospect.
UN says 560 tonnes of food entering Gaza daily since ceasefire but more needed
The UN World Food Programme said on Friday it has brought about 560 tonnes of food per day on average into Gaza since the Israel-Hamas ceasefire took effect, but that still fell short of the scale of need in the enclave.
Madagascar coup leader Randrianirina sworn in as president
Madagascar's coup leader Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as president on Friday to cheers, blaring trumpets and raised swords, days after taking control of the island nation in the wake of youth-led protests that forced out his predecessor.
India to force drugmakers to upgrade plants after fatal cough syrup crisis
India has refused the request from pharmaceutical companies to extend a year-end deadline to upgrade manufacturing facilities, four sources said, amid public anger over the deaths of 24 children who consumed locally-produced cough syrup.
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The boys tried their 'pick up' lines on Mais Vault and things did not go according to plan...
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