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Ecuador minister arrives in UK for Assange talks Ecuador minister meets Wikileaks founder Assange in London
(about 20 hours later)
Ecuador's foreign minister is due to arrive in the UK for talks with his British counterpart over the situation of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Ecuador's foreign minister, Ricardo Patino, has met the founder of the Wikileaks website, Julian Assange, at his country's embassy in London.
Mr Assange has been granted political asylum by Ecuador but will be arrested by British authorities if he leaves the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Mr Assange, who has been living in the building for a year was "in good spirits" despite the "limitations of his accommodations", Mr Patino said.
Ricardo Patino will visit Mr Assange later and meet William Hague on Monday. The Wikileaks founder has been granted political asylum by Ecuador, but will be arrested if he leaves the building.
Mr Assange is wanted in Sweden where he faces sexual assault allegations by two women, claims he denies. He is wanted for questioning over two sexual assault allegations in Sweden.
He arrived at the Ecuadorean embassy in the Knightsbridge area of London a year ago on Wednesday after the UK Supreme Court refused to reopen his appeal against extradition. But Mr Assange denies the claims and fears he will be handed over to the US authorities, who are investigating Wikileaks for publishing confidential US diplomatic documents.
'Cast iron assurances'
Mr Patiño will discuss Julian Assange's case with UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague on Monday.
"I was able to say face to face to him, for the first time, that the government of Ecuador remains firmly committed to protecting his human rights and that we continue to seek cast iron assurances to avoid any onward extradition to a third state," Ecuador's Foreign minister said.
Mr Assange said he was "immensely grateful" for the support shown by the Ecuadorian president and the people of Ecuador.
The Wikileaks founder arrived at the Ecuadorean embassy in the Knightsbridge area of London a year ago on Wednesday, after the UK Supreme Court refused to reopen his appeal against extradition.
The British government has spent about £3m on police officers to guard the embassy around the clock.The British government has spent about £3m on police officers to guard the embassy around the clock.
Degree of flexibility A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: "We remain committed to seeking a diplomatic solution to this situation and must also ensure that our laws are followed.
The UK has insisted it will not allow Mr Assange out of the country without police officers arresting him for breaking bail conditions.
The Australian national fears he will be extradited to the US if he is sent to Sweden.
Wikileaks is being investigated by US authorities for publishing thousands of confidential military documents.
Mr Patino said he hoped his visit would help to move the situation forward and Mr Hague would show a degree of flexibility.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We remain committed to seeking a diplomatic solution to this situation and must also ensure that our laws are followed.
"The UK has a legal obligation to extradite Mr Assange to Sweden to face questioning over allegations of sexual offences, and the British police must fulfil this.""The UK has a legal obligation to extradite Mr Assange to Sweden to face questioning over allegations of sexual offences, and the British police must fulfil this."