Ecuadorian envoy returns to home country for Assange asylum talks

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Ecuadorian Ambassador has left London to return to her home country for talks on the bid by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for political asylum, Belfast Telegraph reported.

Anna Alban is travelling to meet Ecuador's President Correa in the capital Quito, where she will personally brief him on Mr Assange's application. She will also hold a series of meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr Assange suddenly arrived at the Embassy on Tuesday in a dramatic twist to his fight to avoid extradition to Sweden where he wanted for questioning about alleged sex offences.

A spokesman for the Ecuadorian Embassy said: "Ecuador presently finds itself in a unique situation and it is important that those responsible making the final decision on Mr Assange's application are fully briefed on all aspects of the present situation."

The South American country says he is under its protection while it considers the application. Mr Assange, 40, faces arrest for breaching the terms of his bail if he leaves the Ecuadorian Embassy.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed in a statement that the Australian was "beyond the reach of the police" while he remains in the building.

Mr Assange is set to be extradited to Sweden, where he faces accusations of raping a woman and sexually molesting and coercing another in Stockholm in August 2010 while on a visit to give a lecture.

Mr Assange, whose WikiLeaks website has published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables that embarrassed several governments and international businesses, says the sex was consensual and the allegations against him are politically motivated.