ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday congratulated Ali Al-Zaidi on his nomination for Iraq’s premiership after receiving the approval of the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework.

Zaidi, an Iraqi businessman, was nominated by the parliament’s largest bloc, Coordination Framework, for the top office, and was officially designated by Iraqi President Nizar Amedi with forming the next cabinet shortly after, following a series of meetings in Baghdad on Monday.

In a phone call, Barzani congratulated the Prime Minister-designate on his designation, expressing wishes “for his success in forming the new federal government,” according to a post on X.

The Kurdish premier also affirmed support for addressing all outstanding issues on the basis of the constitution, and expressed hope that Iraq would “witness a new era filled with security, stability, and peace.”

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also extended Zaidi a congratulatory message, wishing him success in his efforts to form a “comprehensive national government that meets the aspirations of our people,” and promotes “stability and reconstruction.”

“We affirm our support for him and our commitment to working with him for a better future for all Iraqis.”

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

His 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.

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.