Ecuador foreign minister to arrive in UK in bid to end Assange impasse

Ecuador's foreign minister will be arriving in the UK for talks with his British counterpart over the situation of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Assange has been granted political asylum by Ecuador, but will be arrested by British authorities if he leaves the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Ricardo Patino will meet William Hague on Monday and visit Assange later.

According to the BBC, Assange is wanted in Sweden as he faces sexual assault allegations by two women.

Patino said he hoped his visit would help to move the situation forward and Hague would show a degree of flexibility, the report said.

A Foreign Office spokesman said that they were committed to seeking a diplomatic solution to the situation and will also ensure that the country's laws are followed.

The spokesperson added that the UK has a legal obligation to extradite Assange to Sweden to face questioning over allegations of sexual offences, and the British police must fulfil this, the report added.