Arrest order issued for Egyptian satirist

CAIRO, March 30 (UPI) -- Egyptian prosecutors have ordered the arrest of political satirist Bassem Youssef for allegedly insulting President Mohamed Morsi and Islam.

The arrest order was issued in response to complaints filed by 12 people after Youssef, who hosts a weekly satire show called "El-Bernameg," aired an episode making fun of an interview Morsi had with TV anchor Amr El-Leithy in February, Ahram Online reported Saturday.

Egypt's prosecutor-general said the arrest warrant accuses Youssef of "insulting the president and Islam."

A number of Islamists filed a lawsuit against Youssef in January, claiming he subverted "the standing of the president" during his show. Charges in that case were dropped before a trial.