RIYADH, April 29 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo underscored the need for unity in the Gulf on Sunday during a brief visit to the Saudi capital.

"Gulf unity is necessary and we need to achieve it," Pompeo said at a news conference.

Saudi Arabia, along with the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, cut off travel and trade ties with Qatar last June, accusing it of supporting terrorism and arch rival Iran.

Doha has denied the charges and has said the countries aim to curtail its sovereignty. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton and Sarah Dadouch; editing by Jason Neely)