Britain, Ecuador clash over WikiLeaks founder Assange asylum

PanARMENIAN.Net - Julian Assange is spending his first full day in the Ecuadorian embassy in London since being granted political asylum by the South American country while fighting extradition from the UK, Sky News reported.

Britain and Ecuador remain locked in a diplomatic stand-off over the fate of the WikiLeaks founder, who took refuge in the embassy eight weeks ago after facing extradition to Sweden on allegations of sexual assault.

Mr Assange denies the claims and fears being sent to the United States where he could face the death penalty for publishing secret U.S. diplomatic and military cables.

He described Ecuador's granting him asylum on Thursday, August 16 as a "significant and historic victory".

However, Foreign Secretary William Hague made it clear that Mr Assange would not be allowed safe passage out of the country, and that diplomatic immunity should not be used to harbour alleged criminals.

Mr Hague said it was a "matter of regret" that the Ecuadorian government granted the WikiLeaks founder political asylum but warned that it "does not change the fundamentals" of the case.

The case could go on for some "considerable" time, Mr Hague said, adding: "We will not allow Mr Assange safe passage out of the United Kingdom, nor is there any legal basis for us to do so."