BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraq’s long-awaited licensing round to develop some of its massive oil reserves stumbled Tuesday as oil and gas companies dug in their heals, demanding more money for their efforts than the government was willing to pay.

International oil companies were submitting bids for six oil and two gas fields more than 30 years after Saddam Hussein nationalized the oil sector and expelled foreign firms. The televised process coincided with Iraq assuming formal control over its cities - a step toward ending the U.S. combat role in the country.

But by midday, only one field had been awarded and several others drew limited to no interest.