Charles Taylor testifies at his war crimes trial

(CNN) - Former Liberian President Charles Taylor took the stand Tuesday as the first defense witness at his trial on war crimes charges at The Hague.

Taylor has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts, including murder, sexual slavery, terrorism and torture.

In his first statement to the court Tuesday, Taylor responded to accusations that he is a murderer and a terrorist.

"It is quite incredible that such descriptions of me would come about. Very, very, very unfortunate that the prosecution - because of this information, misinformation, lies, rumors - would associate me with such titles or descriptions," he said. "I am none of those, have never been, and will never be, whether they think so or not.

"I am a father of 14 children, grandchildren, with love for humanity. (I) have fought all my life to do what I thought was right in the interest of justice and fair play. I resent that characterization of me. It is false, it is malicious, and I stop there."