By Larry Shaughnessy

Fort Hood massacre suspect Army Maj. Nidal Hasan argues that he sought to protect Taliban leaders during a shooting rampage at the sprawling Texas military base that killed 13 people.

Representing himself against murder charges, Hasan explained his "defense of others" strategy at a pre-trial hearing on Tuesday without offering details, according to a statement from the military base.

That prompted the military judge overseeing the long-delayed court-martial to give him a day to present any facts to underpin his case, the statement said.

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