Alexandria, Va. ? Zacarias Moussaoui, the only man indicted as a Sept. 11 conspirator, politely raised his hand for attention then declared in court on Monday that he was praying for destruction of the United States and wanted to fire the appointed lawyers he said could not be trusted.

For nearly an hour in federal court, Moussaoui alternated readings from the Quran with an attack on the U.S. criminal justice system. In calm, accented but understandable English, the French citizen accused prosecutors, his lawyers and the judge of working together to end the case quickly with his execution.

“What they’ve done is a sophisticated version of the kiss of death,” Moussaoui said, facing U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema. “The U.S. commander in chief wants me over as quickly as possible.”

In a hearing that swerved suddenly from the intended argument over Moussaoui’s prison conditions, Moussaoui had told her, “I want to defend my life.” He asked for a Muslim attorney of his choice to advise him.

Brinkema warned that he would place himself at a great disadvantage by representing himself in the death penalty case.

Moussaoui also asked for a trial without a jury. Brinkema did not rule immediately on that.

Brinkema ordered a mental examination to ensure that Moussaoui would be able to represent himself. His chief lawyer, federal public defender Frank Dunham Jr., said he wasn’t surprised at Moussaoui’s demand to fire him. Nor, he said, could he assure the judge that Moussaoui was mentally fit given his near-total isolation in the Alexandria Detention Center. Moussaoui is locked up 22 hours a day.

Brinkema said the government had agreed to give Moussaoui a computer, turn off one of two 24-hour cell lights and make other concessions.

But Moussaoui said he let his lawyers challenge his conditions of confinement only to gain admission to the courtroom to address the judge.

Moussaoui told the judge, “I pray to Allah” for “the destruction of the United States of America,” for “the destruction of the Jewish people and state” and for Muslims fighting in Chechnya, India and elsewhere.

Moussaoui said the government is “spending millions of their evil money to kill me.”

“I’m ready to fight … even with both hands behind my back,” he said.