Obama: 'No faith' could justify shootings

US President Barack Obama led a memorial service Tuesday for victims of the Fort Hood army base attack, saying 'no faith' could justify the 'murderous and craven' shootings.

As questions mounted over the accused gunman's links to Islamists, Mr Obama consoled grieving relatives before addressing some 15,000 soldiers and their families at the Texas base.

'It may be hard to comprehend the twisted logic that led to this tragedy. But this much we do know. No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favour.

'And for what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice, in this world, and the next.'

Mr Obama, dressed in black and accompanied by his wife Michelle, paid tribute to the 12 servicemen and one civilian killed in last week's shooting, reading out personal histories of each of the victims.

'Their life's work is our security, and the freedom that we too often take for granted. Every evening that the sun sets on a tranquil town; every dawn that a flag is unfurled; every moment that an American enjoys life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness -- that is their legacy.'

Behind the podium hung a gigantic Stars and Stripes. A photograph of each victim flanked by a helmet, a rifle and a pair of boots paid sad tribute to the fallen.

Mr Obama sought to ease the nationwide soul-searching, but did not try to elaborate on the possible motives of the suspected gunman, military psychiatrist Major Nidal Hasan.

'This is a time of war. And yet these Americans did not die on a foreign field of battle. They were killed here, on American soil, in the heart of this great American community. This is a fact that makes the tragedy even more painful, even more incomprehensible.'

Intrigue over the troubled military psychiatrist Major Nidal Malik Hasan, deepened after the FBI revealed he had contacts with a firebrand Islamic cleric in Yemen and it emerged he had voiced doubts over the role of US Muslim soldiers.

The FBI said Major Hasan, a devout Muslim, came to its attention in 2008 after he communicated with the target of an FBI-led counter-terror investigation.

The bureau said investigators assessed the contacts were 'consistent with research being conducted by Major Hasan in his position as a psychiatrist at the Walter Reed Medical Center.

'The JTTF (joint terrorism task force) concluded that Major Hasan was not involved in terrorist activities or terrorist planning,' the FBI said.

The FBI added 'the investigation to date indicates that the alleged gunman acted alone and was not part of a broader terrorist plot.'

The Washington Post reported investigators were examining possible links between the army psychiatrist and Anwar al-Aulaqi, who is now in Yemen but was a spiritual leader of the Dar al-Hijrah mosque in Falls Church, Virginia.

Major Hasan had attended the mosque in 2001.

The imam was said to have met Al-Qaeda associates, including two September 11 hijackers, and is now believed to have become a supporter of the terror network, the paper said, citing a senior US official.

The Post also said Major Hasan had shocked fellow army medics more than a year ago by saying that Muslim soldiers should be allowed release as conscientious objectors rather than being ordered to go to war against fellow Muslims.

After regaining consciousness, Major Hasan has been able to talk for the first time since Thursday, but he has declined to discuss the day's events with investigators.

The suspect is now awake and talking after coming out of a coma. The US army has said he will be tried in a military court.

Last night, officials involved in the investigation said they believe Major Hasan acted alone and without outside direction.

They tried to interview the 39-year-old army psychiatrist on Sunday at the military hospital where he is being held under guard, but Major Hasan refused to answer questions, officials said.

Authorities were hoping that speaking to the suspect might lead to them to understand the motive behind his violent outburst.

Armed with two non-military issue pistols, including a semi-automatic, he entered a section of the complex used to prepare soldiers for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan and opened fire.

By the time the shooting stopped, 12 soldiers and one civilian had been fatally wounded.

A further 29 people were injured in the incident, with 16 victims still in hospital - seven of those in intensive care.

Major Hasan was shot four times by Sergeant Kimberly Munley, who responded to the sound of gunfire.

The civilian police officer was herself shot in her attempts to subdue Mr Hassan.