Magistrate foils Corsica bomb trap

AJACCIO, Corsica -- A French magistrate living in Corsica has escaped an attempt on his life, police said.

Philippe Toccanier discovered a makeshift explosive device on his doorstep on Friday.

Local police told Reuters that Toccanier found the 200-gramme (seven-ounce) packet of dynamite as he left home with his wife and children just before 8 a.m. (0700 GMT).

Bomb disposal experts managed to defuse the device, which was linked to a timer that had been activated.

Corsica has suffered three decades of nationalist violence and bombings which have targeted French public buildings, summer homes and holiday resorts.

The targeting of Toccanier is the latest in a series of violent incidents on the island in recent months.

In December, Corsica's main nationalist militant group claimed responsibility 17 attacks, blaming the French Government in Paris of a "lack of political courage" for the increase in tension.

The island has been under French rule since 1768.

French politicians have narrowly voted in favour of giving Corsica more powers over its own affairs and a greater say over how some Paris laws can be adapted to suit Corsica's interests.

But the move suffered a setback on Thursday when the Constitutional Council ruled that proposals contained in the bill, allowing local Corsican leaders to amend certain national laws, went against the French constitution.