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.
US, Iran reach preliminary agreement to end war, signing set for Friday
US and Iranian officials said they had agreed on a framework to end their war, halt the US blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a preliminary pact that sent oil prices falling but leaves the fate of Iran's nuclear programme to further negotiations.
Britain announces sweeping social media ban for under-16s
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he would ban social media sites for under-16s and impose restrictions on gaming and livestreaming platforms, in some of the world's most far-reaching online restrictions to date.
Historic monastery damaged, 10 people killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine
A 1,000-year-old monastery that symbolises Ukraine's spiritual and cultural heritage was badly damaged in the heaviest Russian aerial attack on Kyiv in two weeks, authorities said on Monday, while 10 people were killed nationwide in the overnight strikes.
No damage after 6.6-magnitude quake strikes southern Philippines
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday, the Philippine state seismology agency Phivolcs said.
Stepson of Norway's crown prince given four years' prison for assault
The stepson of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon has been found guilty of two counts of sexual assault as well as domestic violence and other crimes and is sentenced to four years in prison, an Oslo court ruled on Monday.
The UAE reiterated the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law following the US-Iran memorandum of understanding.
Work on Al Maktoum International Airport expansion is on schedule, with Phase 1 set to begin operations in 2032, announced His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai's Crown Prince and UAE's Deputy Prime Minister.
Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE president, took to social media on Sunday to commend the UAE leaders for handling the regional crisis with "wisdom and steadfastness", as "we approach the signing of the long-awaited agreement between Washington and Tehran".
