Mr Chevenement believes devolution will break up the French republic

This is the third time in his career that Mr Chevenement, 61, has resigned from a French cabinet.

His close friend, Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, announced the decision, noting "with regret" Mr Chevenement's desire to leave the interior ministry " and paying tribute to his work over the past three years.

The resignation prompted an immediate cabinet shuffle, with Government Spokesman and Minister of Parliamentary Relations Daniel Vaillant appointed Interior Minister, and Jean-Jack Queyranne, current Secretary of State for Overseas Territories, moved to Mr Vaillant's post.

Opposition

Mr Jospin signed the agreement giving Corsica a limited degree of autonomy last month.

Chevenement the 'maverick'

Resignation No 1: In 1983 over economic policy Resignation No 2: In 1991 in protest at France's role in the war over Kuwait Leader of a small left-wing party, the Citizens' Rights Movement Appeal to the left- wing: Strong streak of anti-Americanism and a suspicion of market economy Appeal to the right wing: Strong views on immigration, policing and national sovereignty

It is designed to end 25 years of nationalist paramilitary violence on the island.

But Mr Chevenement, who is a staunch republican, has strongly opposed the plan, which he believes will lead to the break-up of the French republic.

And, as the minister who would have had to defend the proposal in parliament, his position had become increasingly untenable.

Mr Chevenement had demanded greater guarantees of peace before concessions were made to Corsican nationalists.

But the Prime Minister, while saying the deal would be cancelled if violence returned to the island, has refused to set preconditions.

In the week since the signing of the agreement, there have been a number of attacks on official buildings in Corsica and a former nationalist leader has been murdered in broad daylight.

Blow to government

Mr Chevenement's resignation represents a serious blow to Mr Jospin.

He was a pillar in the Socialist-led government and his departure could shake the whole balance of the coalition.

The Interior Minister was the only representative of his left-wing party - the Citizens' Rights Movement - in the government.

Two other senior members of the government have departed in recent months.

The former finance minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned last November to defend himself in a lawsuit, while Claude Allegre quit as education minister in March in the face of mounting student protests.