Michael Adebolajo, 28, and 22-year-old Michael Adebowale are accused of murdering 25-year-old Lee Rigby on May 22. They deny the charges.
During police interviews played for a jury at London's Old Bailey Court today, Adebolajo said it brings him "little joy to approach anybody and slay them."
He spoke of a "war between the Muslims and the British people."
Asked what happened to Rigby, Adebolajo said: "''He was struck in the neck with a sharp implement and it was sawed until his head, you know, almost detached and may Allah forgive me if I acted in a way that is displeasing to him.