A sandstorm in Iraq grounded U.S. Vice President Joe Biden who was supposed to fly to a breakfast meeting Friday with U.S. officials.

Biden arrived in Baghdad Thursday on an unannounced visit he said was to help him re-establish contact with Iraqi leaders and foster a climate of political reconciliation after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraqi cities Tuesday.

Although the Black Hawk helicopter took off briefly, visibility was so poor that Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, ordered the copter to turn back. The meeting between Biden, Odierno and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill took place at Odierno's home.

After a briefing on the U.S. troop withdrawal, Odierno and Biden discussed overall security in Iraq, the capabilities of Iraqi forces and the future mission of U.S. forces going forward, Biden's press secretary said.

Hill and Biden discussed the political situation in Iraq and the "status of efforts to make progress on the various outstanding political issues in the country," Biden's office said.

After the meeting, Biden traveled to meet with non-governmental officials and representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

"The reason I came is (President Barack Obama) wants focus within the White House on the implementation of our administration's plan to ... draw down troops in Iraq," Biden told reporters during the flight to Iraq.

He said he also wanted to promote a political settlement on several unresolved issues and "re-establish contact with each of the leaders among the Kurds and the Sunnis and the Shiites," to learn more about "what is their plan to resolve those real differences that exist."

Biden also is scheduled to meet and celebrate July Fourth with U.S. troops.