New Delhi, April 28 -- Iraq's dominant parliamentary bloc on Monday nominated Ali al-Zaidi, a businessman and political newcomer, to be the country's prime minister.

The announcement by the Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shiite parties allied with Iran, followed a meeting at the government palace. It came after weeks of internal debate among its member parties aimed at selecting a compromise candidate to lead the next government.

President Nizar Amidi then tasked al-Zaidi with forming a government. Even with the backing of the dominant bloc, the new government is not assured of receiving the required number of votes.

The coalition had previously said it would back former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who the U.S. administrati...