ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi leaders on Monday issued congratulatory messages to Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi after the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework selected him for the top post with “unanimous approval.”

Zaidi, an Iraqi businessman, was chosen as the next prime minister by a unanimous vote at a meeting of the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework in Baghdad on Monday.

Outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani extended his “warmest congratulations” to Zaidi for his nomination by the framework’s forces, wishing him “success in his national mission.”

The incumbent premier, who has been in office for three and a half years, affirmed his support for “all options that are achieved through national consensus,” and his commitment to cooperating with Zaidi during his term “to complete the requirements for forming the government.”

President Nizar Amedi also tasked Zaidi with forming the new Iraqi government during a Monday ceremony, and expressed hope that the nomination “marks the beginning of a process that we hope will be crowned with success.”

He called on Iraq’s national forces to support and cooperate with the prime minister-designate “to expedite the formation of an effective national government that represents all Iraqis,” and is capable of implementing a reform program that improves services, the economy, and the rule of law.

Parliament speaker Haibat al-Halbousi also welcomed Zaidi’s appointment and wished him success in fulfilling his national responsibilities and “in strengthening the work of state institutions.”

Zaidi is seen as a compromise figure and is relatively unknown in the Iraqi political sphere.

On Monday, the Coordination Framework expressed gratitude for Sudani and State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki’s stances in “withdrawing their candidacies for the premiership” and allowing the body to select a candidate who “meets the required qualifications.” 

Abbas al-Amiri, secretary-general of the framework, later announced that the alliance will meet on Tuesday to discuss the next cabinet. 

Zaidi’s selection came following at least seven meetings held by the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework aimed at naming a candidate for the top post, but which repeatedly failed to do so. A Saturday meeting was postponed to Sunday, which was again delayed without official notice.

The nomination process exceeded the constitutional deadline by a day, marking 16 days since the election of Iraq’s new president. The prime minister-designate must now present a cabinet to parliament within 30 days.