Mauritania leader backs defense minister for presidency

Ould Abdel Aziz's second term is set to end in mid-2019

By Mohamed Bakay

NOUAKCHOTT (AA) - Incumbent Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has backed Defense Minister Mohamed Ould Ghazouani in this year's presidential election.

Speaking during a meeting with a group of Mauritanian politicians on Monday, Ould Abdel Aziz said he would support Ould Ghazouani for presidency, according to a source with the ruling Union for the Republic Party, who who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

If confirmed, Ould Ghazouani will be the candidate of the ruling party in the polls.

In mid-January, Ould Abdel Aziz said he would not run for a new term, calling for halting all campaigns aimed at amending the country's constitution, which allows only two presidential terms.

Ould Abdel Aziz's second term is set to end in mid-2019.

The date for the presidential election has yet to be announced, but it is expected to be held before the end of Ould Abdel Aziz's term in July.

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