This member of the Islamic Dawa Party served as Prime Minister of Iraq during the first two decades of the 21st Century.
After studying literature at Usul al-Din College and the University of Baghdad, he fled to Syria and Iran to escape persecution by Saddam Hussein's anti-Shiite government.
While in office as Prime Minister, he also served as Iraq's acting Minister of the Interior and Minister of Defense.
His marriage to Faleeha Khalil resulted in one son and three daughters.
A longtime opponent of Saddam Hussein, he signed the 2006 warrant for the Iraqi dictator's death.
