BEIRUT: Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora criticized Wednesday Hezbollah and said the June elections should take place on time.

“We can no longer tolerate Hezbollah’s regressive policy,” he said in a statement marking the eighth anniversary of statesman Rafik Hariri’s assassination.

“We want the elections to be held on time so that we can get rid of this group which is getting a grip on the country and preventing its development,” Siniora said.

Hariri, a five-time prime minister, was killed in a massive car bombing in Beirut on Feb. 14, 2005. A U.N.-backed court has indicted four Hezbollah members in the case. The resistance group denies any involvement in the case.

Siniora also blasted the government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati and said it did not represent the real aspirations of the Lebanese people.

“The current Cabinet was formed through a coup initiated by Hezbollah,” Siniora said, adding that the elections, due in June, would pave way for a new government that secures development in the country.

“The elections are the only way to restore Lebanon’s independence and sovereignty from the grip of weapons and tutelage,” he said.

Siniora also accused Hezbollah of leading Lebanon on a deteriorating course, which he said was unacceptable.

He added that the Future parliamentary bloc was open to any solution that secures fair representation.