Officials in Mauritania say President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz will be flown abroad Sunday for treatment after he was shot and lightly wounded Saturday in what government officials call an accident.

The president was shot Saturday while traveling in a convoy near the capital, Nouakchott. Officials say the shot was accidental and was fired because a security patrol along the road did not immediately recognize the president's convoy.

But some local reports say the president was targeted by a militant group while traveling to Tweila north of the capital, where he spends most weekends.

Some reports say he will be flown to France for treatment.

President Abdel Aziz came to power in a 2008 military coup and went on to win the 2009 presidential election.