Talks in Quito on Assange asylum bid

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

Mr Assange 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 remained in the building.

Mr Assange faces accusations of raping a woman and sexually molesting and coercing another in Stockholm in August 2010.