CAIRO — Egypt's prosecutor general has ordered the arrest of the Muslim Brotherhood's spiritual leader and nine others for allegedly instigating violence that left more than 50 Brotherhood supporters dead in clashes with the military this week.

The general prosecutor's office said in a statement Wednesday that it issued arrest warrants for the general guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Badie, as well as his deputy and strongman, Mahmoud Ezzat. Eight other leading Islamists also were ordered to be taken into custody.

The prosecutor's office says the Islamist leaders are suspected of inciting the violence outside the Republican Guard building in Cairo on Monday that left 54 people dead.

Badie is a revered figure among the Brotherhood's followers, who swear an oath of absolute obedience to him — to "hear and obey."