Wacky Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi (may his spellings be legion) is doing what every Arab country so far has done—giving vague promises of “support” to Hamas: Libya says it supports Palestinian Hamas.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi pledged support for Palestinian militant group Hamas, which faces cuts in Western funding over its refusal to denounce violence against Israel, state news agency Jana said on Friday.

The report came after Gaddafi met Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Meshaal in Tripoli late on Thursday. Meshaal said this week his group will continue to fight Israel and told the United States its Middle East policy would fuel terrorism.

Meshaal’s visit to Libya is part of a tour of Arab states to drum up financial aid and political support for Hamas to head the Palestinian government.

“The brother leader (Gaddafi) told Meshaal that Libya will continue its support for the Palestinian people and its just cause,” Jana said.

No wonder he was such an ideal guest for Columbia University’s Middle East Program.

And no wonder Libya will remain on the State Department’s terrorist list. (Maybe Columbia should be on there too.)

Meanwhile, yesterday in Khartoum, the G-man showed up resplendent in purple.