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.
GCC and EU ministers urge immediate halt to Iranian attacks
Foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union have strongly condemned the Iranian attacks targeting GCC states, calling them a direct threat to regional and global security.
Trump wants say on Iran's next leader
US President Donald Trump claimed the right to join Iran in deciding its next leader as the war escalated, with US and Israeli jets hitting areas across the country and Gulf cities coming under renewed attack.
British PM Starmer to send four Typhoon jets to Qatar
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that four additional Typhoon fighter jets would be sent to Qatar amid the ongoing regional developments, insisting that the UK has the right plan for defence.
Bombing of Tehran intensifies as war enters day six
The US-Israeli campaign against Iran entered its sixth day on Thursday with what residents described as even more intensive bombing.
Azerbaijan vows to respond after four injured by Iranian drones
Azerbaijan warned on Thursday that it was preparing unspecified response measures after a pair of Iranian drones flew across its border and injured four people in the Nakhchivan exclave, raising concern about further spillover of the conflict in the Middle East.
The UAE took part in an extraordinary GCC-EU Foreign Ministers videoconference on Thursday to address Iranian aggression against GCC states.
Etihad Airways will resume a limited commercial flight schedule from March 6, operating between Abu Dhabi and several key international destinations.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, has discussed the latest regional developments with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
