UPDATE - Mauritania leader backs defense minister for presidency

UPDATES WITH GOV'T CONFIRMATION

By Mohamed al-Bakay

NOUAKCHOTT (AA) – The Mauritanian government on Tuesday confirmed incumbent President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz's support for Defense Minister Mohamed Ould Ghazouani in this year's presidential election.

"Ould Ghazouani is the best choice for continuing the pioneering national project founded and led by President of the Republic Ould Abdel Aziz," government spokesman Sidi Mohamed Ould Mohamed said on Twitter.

Ould Mohamed is also the leader of the ruling Union of the Republic Party.

On Monday, a party source said Ould Abdel Aziz has backed the defense minister to run 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, the source told Anadolu Agency.

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.