Julian Assange five year pledge

A working group of legal experts is to be set up by the UK and Ecuadorian governments to try to break the deadlock over the future of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Mr Assange has been inside Ecuador's London embassy for almost a year, fearing he will be extradited to the United States if he travels to Sweden to answer allegations of sexual assault against two women.

Ecuador's foreign minister Ricardo Patino said it was "grossly unjust" that Mr Assange could not leave the embassy without being arrested.

Julian Assange is prepared to remain in the Ecuadorian Embassy for five years, said Ecuador's foreign minister Ricardo Patino.

The Foreign Office said William Hague met his Ecuadorian counterpart to discuss the case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has been granted political asylum inside the Ecuadorian embassy, but that no "breakthrough" had been made.

A statement said:

Assange is wanted for questioning over two sexual assault allegations in Sweden and will be arrested if he leaves the embassy building.

Ecuador's foreign minister will meet Foreign Secretary William Hague today to discuss the future of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Ricardo Patino said Mr Assange was in "good spirits" despite the "limitations" of his accommodation inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he has been since June 19 last year.

The WikiLeaks founder is wanted for questioning in Sweden over sex allegations by two women - which he denies - but fears being extradited to the United States if he goes to Sweden.

Ecuador's foreign minister tonight met with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange inside the embassy where the Australian has been staying for the past year.

Ricardo Patino said Mr Assange was in "good spirits" despite the "limitations" of his accommodation inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Mr Patino added that the Ecuadorean government remains "firmly committed to protecting his human rights" and that it is seeking "cast iron assurances to avoid any onward extradition".

Mr Assange has been living inside the embassy since 19 June last year. He is wanted for questioning in Sweden over sex allegations by two women - which he denies - but fears being extradited to the United States if he leaves.

A senior Ecuadorian minister will make a brief visit to the UK ahead of talks over the future of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Ecuador's foreign minister, Ricardo Patino, is due to meet Mr Assange at the country's embassy later today, before holding talks with Foreign Secretary William Hague tomorrow.

The Australian has been inside the embassy since June 19 last year and has since been granted political asylum.

A senior Ecuadorian government minister will visit London as the first anniversary of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's dramatic arrival at the country's embassy approaches.

Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino will meet with Mr Assange at the embassy in London, and has offered to hold talks with Foreign Secretary William Hague to try to reach an agreement over Mr Assange's future.

The Australian has been inside the embassy since June last year and has since been granted political asylum.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said they had been informed of Mr Patino's intention to travel to London "and we are now considering a request for a meeting with the Foreign Secretary".

"UK Government officials have been in regular contact with representatives of the Ecuadorian Government, both in London and Quito, about Mr Assange", they continued.

"We hope the visit will contribute to our joint commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to this issue".