The Muslim Brotherhood's General Guide Mohammed Badie speaks onstage as military helicopters fly overhead before tens of thousands of supporters in Cairo, Egypt, July 5, 2013.
Egypt's top prosecutor has ordered the arrest of Muslim Brotherhood leaders, even as interim leaders plan to offer the group a cabinet post in a transitional government.
The prosecutor's office says it issued warrants for Brotherhood chief Mohammed Badie, one of his deputies, and eight others. Prosecutors say they allegedly incited violence that killed 51 people Monday in Cairo
A Brotherhood spokesman calls the warrants "the same old police state tactics."
"The issue is not about these icons [of the Muslim Brotherhood, who were ordered arrested]. Those who died in cold blood are much more important to us than the icons. Every Egyptian that is being arrested right now or those who were killed are more important to us than the political icons. However, we are present in the squares, we are present in the Egyptian provinces. If they [Brotherhood leaders] wanted to flee, they would have traveled abroad before all these events of 30 June and when it became apparent that there would be a military coup," said Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Ahmed Aref.
Also Wednesday, the foreign ministry said ousted President Mohamed Morsi is being detained for his own safety and is being treated with dignity.
Meanwhile, the White House says it is taking its time to determine how it regards the change of power in Egypt.
Under U.S. law, the administration would be obligated to cut off more than $1 billion in aid if it determines that the military carried out a coup.
But spokesman Jay Carney says it is not in the U.S. interest to make immediate changes in aid to Cairo.
Carney says the White House does not support any individual or group in Egypt, but does back a process leading toward a transitional government that is inclusive and democratic.
Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, the hardline Islamist Nour Party, and other smaller parties are critical of the transition plan laid out by the military and interim President Adly Mansour. The plan includes amending the constitution and holding new parliamentary and presidential elections. The Brotherhood is demanding Morsi's reinstatement.
The Latest Images from Egypt
1/15Supporters of Egypt's ousted President Mohamed Morsi perform weekly Friday prayers at the Rabaa Adawiya square in Cairo where they are camping, July 12, 2013.
2/15A supporter of Morsi is doused with water on a hot day in Cairo, July 12, 2013.
3/15Supporters of the ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi shout anti-army slogans during a sit-in protest in Cairo July 11, 2013.
4/15Morsi Supporters pray after breaking their fast during Ramadan, in Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, July 11, 2013.
5/15An Egyptian boy stands among Morsi supporters who are offering the Tarawih prayer after the evening meal during Ramadan, in Nasr City, Cairo, July 10, 2013.
6/15Supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi during a rally in Nasr City, Cairo, July 10, 2013.
7/15Supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi protest at the Republican Guard building in Nasr City, Cairo, July 10, 2013.
8/15A supporter of ousted President Mohamed Morsi joins in a protest at the Republican Guard building in Nasr City, Cairo, July 10, 2013.
9/15A supporter of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi reads the Koran at the Rabaa Adawiya square, Cairo, July 9, 2013.
10/15Supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi at their camp in Rabaa Adawiy square, Cairo, July 9, 2013.
11/15A supporter of ousted President Mohamed Morsi with a national flag gestures to army soldiers guard at the Republican Guard building in Nasr City, Cairo, July 9, 2013.
12/15Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of Morsi at Republican Guard headquarters in Nasr City, Cairo, July 8, 2013.
13/15Supporters Morsi carry the body of a fellow supporter killed by violence outside the Republican Guard headquarters in Cairo, July 8, 2013.
14/15Morsi supporters mourn protesters who died during clashes with army soldiers in Cairo, July 8, 2013.
15/15Wounded supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi wait for treatment at a field hospital in Cairo, July 8, 2013.
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