Reports from Mauritania say that President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was shot and lightly wounded Saturday while traveling in a convoy near the capital Nouakchott.

Officials say the president was lightly wounded by a bullet and is being treated in a military hospital. They 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.

The French news agency cited a security source saying the president was wounded by a motorist who shot at him.

All acces to the military hospital has been blocked.

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