The main rebel group on the French island of Corsica, the FLNC Corsican National Liberation Front has criticised the latest devolution proposals being put forward by the government in Paris.

A spokesman said the proposals were nothing more than pious wishes.

He was speaking after a surprise visit to Corsica at the weekend by the new Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

Correspondents say Mr Raffarin's pledges on decentralisation fall short of the previous administration's plans for delegating powers to Corsica.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service