The Slatest

Top Muslim Brotherhood Leaders Arrested in Egypt

Supporters of deposed Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi hold portraits of him and national flags during a rally on July 9, 2013 outside Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque.

Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images

While the violence in Cairo’s streets seems to have abated for now, the struggle between the military-appointed government and the ousted Muslim Brotherhood continued today with the arrests of high-profile Brotherhood officials. The Associated Press/CBS News has the details on the fight for Egypt:

Egypt’s top prosecutor ordered the arrest Wednesday of the Muslim Brotherhood’s leader, Mohamed Badie, and nine others suspected of inciting violence in Monday’s clashes with the military that left more than 50 dead. Most of those killed were supporters of deposed President Mohammed Morsi.

At a government briefing in Cairo following the arrest order, a foreign ministry spokesman said Brotherhood leaders are inciting violence against citizens and institutions, reports CBS News’ Alex Ortiz. Morsi has not been charged with anything.

Despite the arrests and allegations of violence, interim officials are trying to get Muslim Brotherhood members to take part in the transition government. The Brotherhood, and its Islamist allies, have repeatedly shunned any formal cooperation with the new government. According to the AP, Islamist leaders say they will continue to protest until Morsi—who is being held in an undisclosed “safe” location—is reinstated as president.