AAP June 21, 2012,
AP ©
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange remains holed-up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, with police saying he faces arrest for breaching the terms of his bail if he leaves the building.
The 40-year-old Australian is inside the building in Knightsbridge, having gone there to request political asylum under the United Nations Human Rights Declaration.
The South American country, whose UK ambassador Anna Alban met British government officials on Wednesday, says he is under its protection as it considers the application, which comes after his failed bid to avoid extradition to Sweden under a European arrest warrant to face sex crime accusations.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) confirmed in a statement that he was "beyond the reach of the police" while he remains in the building.
Alban said she held "cordial and constructive" talks with the British.
"I welcome the statement from the UK Government last night in which they stated that they would work with the Ecuadorian government to find a resolution," she said in a statement.
"I also took the opportunity to explain that the decision on Mr Assange's application would be assessed by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Quito and would take into account Ecuador's long and well established tradition in supporting human rights.
"I also emphasised to the UK Government that it was not the intention of the Ecuadorian government to interfere with the processes of either the UK or Swedish governments.
"I have made clear that I will make myself available to meet with the UK Government's representatives at any time so that we can find a just and fair solution to this situation."
The Metropolitan Police said it had been told at 10.20pm on Tuesday that Assange had breached a condition of the STG200,000 ($A310,000) bail imposed by the High Court, that he stay at a bail address between 10pm and 8am.
"He is now subject to arrest under the Bail Act for breach of these conditions," a police spokeswoman said.
"Officers are aware of his location."
A small group of protesters arrived at the embassy on Wednesday, waving placards that read "Free Assange, No Rendition" and "Free Assange, No Extradition", and a large sign reading: "Free Assange! Free Manning! End The Wars."
Gavin Macfadyen, from the Centre for Investigative Journalism at City University, emerged from the embassy to say of Assange: "He is fine, he is in very good humour and grateful for the hospitality of the embassy.
"He is meeting with the lawyers now to discuss all of it.
"It's a very fluid situation, he is in good humour and the generosity of the embassy is impressive and moving.”
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