Shot Mauritanian president flown to Paris for treatment

NOUAKCHOTT (AFP, REUTERS) - Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was flown on Sunday to Paris for medical treatment after being wounded in what the government said was an accidental shooting on his convoy by an army unit.

Mr Abdel Aziz appeared on television to call for calm hours after he was shot by soldiers in what he said was an accident.

"I want to calm all citizens," he said in a broadcast on state television from his hospital bed. "I want to reassure everyone about my state of health after this incident committed by error."

Soon after the broadcast, he was flown to former colonial power France for further treatment, a Mauritanian official said.