BAGHDAD, July 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman paid a diplomatic visit to Baghdad Tuesday and offered U.S. help in rebuilding the energy sector.
Bodman met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih and then the ministers of oil, electricity and science/technology, as well as the U.S. ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad.
Bodman congratulated the Iraqis for their determination in "building a new democracy and a new economy," and offered invitations to the ministers to visit the United States to tour Energy Department facilities and meet with department personnel, especially experts in electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
He also acknowledged the inter-play reconstruction required.
"Iraqis need electricity to get oil production up, and they need the revenue from crude oil sales to build the electricity infrastructure it needs," Bodman said.
After the formalities, Bodman departed for a visit with U.S. troops in the city.
