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.
Man charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after knife attack on UK train
British police said a 32-year-old British man was on Monday charged with 10 counts of attempted murder over a knife attack on a train on Saturday, an incident officers had already said was not being treated as terrorism-related.
Tanzania's Hassan sworn into office after deadly election violence
Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan was sworn into office on Monday for her first elected term after winning a landslide victory in an election that set off deadly protests across the country.
Powerful 6.3 quake kills at least 20 in Afghanistan, hundreds injured
A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif early on Monday, killing at least 20 people, injuring hundreds and damaging the city's historic Blue Mosque, authorities said, with the death toll likely to rise.
Turkey set to call for action on Gaza as soon as possible, source says
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to call at a meeting in Istanbul on Monday for arrangements to be made as soon as possible to ensure the security and administration of Gaza by Palestinians, a foreign ministry source said on Sunday.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has hoisted the UAE flag at a special ceremony in Qasr Al Hosn as he honoured a group of retired Emirati service personnel for their commitment to keep the nation's flag flying high.
The UAE and the US have signed a new partnership to accelerate collaboration in energy and artificial intelligence, with the aim to drive industrial transformation and economic growth.
The weather bureau has forecasted unstable weather conditions in the UAE from November 3 to November 7, with a chance of light to moderate rainfall across some parts.
