Nicolas Sarkozy said the future lay in developing Corsica's economy

He was speaking the day after a bomber killed himself in a bungled attack, and five other devices exploded across the Mediterranean island.

He said it was a waste for the island, the man's family and the man himself.

"We will take all the time we need to put an end to all this," said Mr Sarkozy, on probably his final Corsican visit before running for president.

"I'm not going to stop just because there's a tiny minority that... thinks it's courageous to hide and blow up an unoccupied villa."

While the 54-year-old bomber was killed and a suspected accomplice seriously injured, in the vicinity of some holiday homes in the east of the island, four banks and a tax office were damaged in the main port of Ajaccio.

Bomb attacks are not uncommon in Corsica, where separatists have continued a low-level campaign of violence for decades.

The bomber's body was reportedly found near holiday homes

Often emblems of French control - like banks and government offices - are attacked, as well as homes owned by non-Corsicans.

Most attacks take place when the buildings are empty and do not appear designed to kill.

Mr Sarkozy said the way ahead lay in developing the Corsican economy to provide jobs for the island's youth.