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.
Fire at orphanage in Algiers kills 11
Eleven people, including children, were killed and 19 injured in a fire at an orphanage close to the Algerian capital Algiers early on Thursday.
Former Italian motorway boss sentenced over Genoa bridge tragedy
An Italian court on Thursday sentenced the former head of Italian motorway operator Autostrade per l'Italia to 12 years in prison for his role in a disaster that killed 43 people when a bridge collapsed near the city of Genoa in 2018.
Iran, US escalate in Gulf but release of American signals path to climb down
Iran and the US exchanged intensified fire on Thursday in a week-long escalation that has all but torn up last month's truce, but Iran's release of a US citizen was seen as signalling a path to avert the resumption of all-out war.
US to change visa regulations for foreign students, journalists
The Trump administration moved on Thursday to tighten the duration of visas for foreign students, cultural exchange visitors and journalists, according to a government notice.
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