The Framework," a coalition of Shiite parties close to Iran and the largest bloc in the Iraqi parliament, announced on Saturday its nomination of Nouri al-Maliki for the position of prime minister.

In a statement, the coalition said, “After deep and extensive discussions, the Coordination Framework has decided by majority to nominate Mr. Nouri Kamel al-Maliki for the post of Prime Minister, as the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, based on his political and administrative experience and his role in managing the state.”

Al-Maliki previously served as prime minister between 2006 and 2014, during two terms marked by pivotal events in Iraq’s modern history, including the withdrawal of U.S. forces, sectarian civil war, and the rise of the Islamic State, which seized large areas of northern and western Iraq.