Assange can stay for two centuries, insists Ecuador

Ecuador has urged the UK government today to drop any threat to storm its embassy so that fresh talks can be held over the future of Wikileaks founder 
Julian Assange, who has been inside the building for the past two months.

Officials expressed optimism that a “compromise” could be reached over Assange, who is wanted for questioning in Sweden over claims of sexual assault.

But they made clear that the Australian can stay inside the London embassy for “as long as it takes” to resolve his future.

“He can stay here for eight years, two centuries. However long he wants,” said one official.

Meanwhile, fresh details emerged of how unprepared the embassy was to accommodate Assange, 41, when he suddenly arrived two months ago seeking political asylum.

An airbed had to be brought from the home of the ambassador so he could sleep in one of the rooms in the ground floor of the building. Officials insist no previous negotiations were held and said it was a “big surprise” when he arrived.

Assange was granted political asylum by Ecuador a week ago, a day after it was revealed that the UK government had warned that under a 1987 act, it could enter the Embassy to arrest him.

Officials said yesterday that up to 50 officers arrived at the embassy after the warning, with some climbing a fire escape and one standing outside a toilet.

Officials said they were surprised that the UK had not withdrawn the threat, even though Foreign Secretary William Hague said there was no intention to “storm” the building.