Government of National Stability (GNS) Deputy Prime Minister Ali Al-Qatrani called on municipalities and government institutions in the eastern region to disregard any decisions or instructions issued by the Government of National Unity (GNU) government, describing it as "expired".

Al-Qatrani addressed the mayors of municipalities in the eastern region, heads of ministries, heads of universities, directors of medical centers, directors of medical and educational hospitals, directors of the customs authority, directors and coordinators of public sectors, directors of branches of public companies and agencies, the director general of the Benghazi Reconstruction Fund, heads of branches of Municipal Guard agencies and heads of agricultural police branches and the heads of civil registry branches in his message.

Last week, GNS Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha stated: “It is strictly forbidden to implement any decisions or instructions issued by the caretaker government, whose legal mandate has expired."

Bashagha warned that “the legally competent authorities are prohibited from undertaking any procedures in this regard and the heads and directors of departments and offices in units and relevant administrative bodies must refrain from issuing any official documents based on them.”

And on Thursday, March 17, Al-Qatrani, took over the cabinet headquarters in the city of Benghazi and announced that Libya's eastern region would follow Fathi Bashagha's government.