The violence has far from died out, and has even gained momentum

Opposition MP Nicolas Dupont-Aignan

The conservative opposition opposes the bill arguing that it is unconstitutional and that it would undermine the French state by paving the way to full Corsican independence.

It plans to take its two most contentious articles to France's constitutional council - the body that rules on new laws - and ask it to strike them out.

The bill was narrowly passed by the combined votes of the ruling Socialists and their Green party allies, with the Communists - who are also in government - abstaining.

Four Corsican deputies in the National Assembly also declined to support the bill.

The bill is the product of months of talks between Mr Jospin and local leaders last year.

On Monday the Corsican National Liberation Front (FLNC) claimed responsibility for 17 recent armed attacks on police barracks and ministry buildings, and blamed Paris' "lack of political courage" for an increase in tension.

Corsica, which has a population of 260,000, has been prey to sporadic separatist violence since the mid-1970s, but the main paramilitary groups have in theory maintained a ceasefire since the start of last year.

The proposed devolution would mark an important break with the centralising tradition of French politics.

Polls have showed the majority of the island's 260,000 inhabitants wish to remain part of France.