Egypt Escalates Crackdown On Muslim Brotherhood

Prosecutors in Egypt have ordered the arrest of the head of the Muslim Brotherhood, along with nine other leaders.

Egypt's interim government has insisted that the Muslim Brotherhood incited violence on Monday morning when soldiers and police opened fire and killed over 50 civilians.

The civilians were holding a sit-in in front of a military headquarters where deposed president Mohammed Morsi is believed to be held by the Army, calling for Morsi's release and reinstatement.

The Muslim Brotherhood maintains that its supporters had been praying when the military opened fire.

The deaths have sharpened divisions in the country and raised fears of civil conflict. With the new arrest orders, the interim government is signalling that it intends to move forward with transition plans.