While the NATO-imposed Libyan government is incapable of extending its authority throughout the country, Cyrenaica has already declared independence.

On Saturday, March 8, 2014, Libyan rebels began loading oil into a tanker flying a North Korean flag at the Es Sider port. Despite threats from the government in Tripoli, the boat was able to reach international waters.

On Tuesday, March 11, because of his failure to stop rebels exporting oil independently, the General National Congress (GNC) ousted Prime Minister Ali Zeidan by 120 votes to 194, and designated Defence Minister Abdallah al-Thinni as interim premier.

On Wednesday, March 12, Ali Zeidan fled to Germany via Malta, while the Prosecutor General issued an arrest warrant against him for embezzlement.