The only person charged in the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United Stats is facing psychiatric evaluation to determine if he is mentally competent to serve as his own lawyer. 

Appearing in federal court Monday, Zacarias Moussaoui said he is firing his court-appointed defense lawyers and that he should be allowed to hire a Muslim lawyer or defend himself. 

During an unexpected 50 minute statement, Mr. Moussaoui also called for the destruction of the United States and Israel. 

Judge Leonie Brinkema told the suspect she will not allow any deviation from U.S. legal procedure, but said if Mr. Moussaoui passes a competency examination, she will allow him to represent himself. 

Judge Brinkema ordered his defense team to remain in place in the meantime, whether he cooperates with it or not. 

Mr. Moussaoui, a French citizen, is being held under strict observation in a jail in a Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C.. He says he is not guilty of accusations he conspired with the hijackers who carried out the September attacks in the United States. 

If convicted, he faces the death penalty. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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