Soldiers in Mauritania have shot and slightly wounded their president by mistake.

Communications Minister Hamdi Ould Mahjoub said on Saturday soldiers had shot at President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz because they "did not recognise his convoy".


Earlier, a security source told AFP Abdel Aziz was hit in the arm by a bullet that a motorist fired at him.

The president's "life is not in danger. He got out and walked to a military hospital where he received first aid", the source said.