Shiite parties nominate Maliki for Iraq's premiership: Source

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework on Saturday nominated former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki to form the next federal cabinet, his office confirmed to Rudaw.

The coalition met in Baghdad on Saturday, concluding weeks of negotiations over who should become the country’s next prime minister.

Yasir Talal, head of media office at Maliki's office, told Rudaw that the Shiite parties nominated Maliki for the position. 

This would be Maliki's third term.

However, a source from the Coordination Framework said Maliki does have the support of the coalition but has yet to be formally nominated.

“A majority supports nominating Mr. al-Maliki, but they are tying the final decision to two conditions: the approval of the religious authority and the international situation," said the source on the condition of anonymity, referring to Iraq's highest Shiite authority Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

Maliki and the outgoing prime minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani have been the strongest candidates for the position. 

Maliki served as the prime minister of the country from 2014 to 2006. 

The Shiite coalition published a statement but did not mention Maliki.

"The meeting was marked by a positive atmosphere and responsible discussions, resulting in important developments and advanced indicators that align with the requirements of political stability and the country’s higher interests," it said. 

Updated at 10:59 pm