Julian Assange to leave Ecuadorian embassy

London: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Monday said he would "soon" leave the Ecuadorian embassy here after being holed up at the mission for nearly two years, amid reports that he has developed life-threatening ailments that require hospitalisation.

The 49-year-old Australian national, who is reportedly battling heart defect and chronic lung condition, refused to elaborate on the timeframe as he addressed journalists alongside Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino at the embassy in Knightsbridge, central London. Widespread reports have suggested that the anti-secrecy campaigner needs hospital treatment for the health problems. "There has been two years of great uncertainty and a lack of legal protection. This situation must come to an end. Two years is simply too long...We continue to offer him our protection," said Patino.

"It is time to free Julian Assange. It is time for his human rights to finally be respected," he added. Patino would meet with British foreign secretary Philip Hammond in the next few weeks to discuss ways to resolve the situation. Assange, whose website WikiLeaks published classified US military and diplomatic documents embarrassing the US government, has been living inside the Ecuadorian embassy building, since being granted diplomatic asylum by the Latin American nation in August 2012. He is under continuance surveillance and will be arrested if he leaves the building. Scotland Yard officers have been stationed outside the building round-the-clock for two years now. Assange had initially anticipated a diplomatic solution to his problems would be reached within a couple of months.