Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz has returned home from France for the first time since being wounded by one of his own soldiers last month.

Thousands of people gathered at the airport Saturday to greet the president on his return to the capital, Nouakchott.

Large crowds also lined the route between the airport and the presidential palace. President Abdelaziz waved to the crowds, but gave no statement.

He had been in France for the last six weeks receiving treatment after a military patrol opened fire on his convoy.

The government said the shooting was accidental, but the official version has been questioned.

President Abdelaziz seized power in a coup in 2008, in a country with a long history of coups.

He went on to win the 2009 presidential election.