DHAKA: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange said he would leave London’s Ecuadorean embassy “soon” after two years, reports BBC.

He did not clarify when he would depart but said it was “probably not” for the reasons reported by the UK press.

Stories had suggested he was suffering ill-health and required treatment.

Ecuador’s foreign minister Ricardo Patino said Assange, who is wanted for questioning over alleged sexual assault offences in Sweden, would continue to be offered “protection”.

Assange, 43, who faces questioning by prosecutors in Sweden, denies the allegations and sought refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in June 2012 shortly after a court ordered his extradition.

He says he fears he could eventually be handed over the US because of Wikileaks published classified US military documents on the Afghan and Iraq wars.

He has been living inside the embassy building since then, having been granted diplomatic asylum by Ecuador in August 2012.

Reports in UK newspapers at the weekend said Assange had developed a heart defect and a chronic lung condition during his confinement.

BDST: 1645 HRS, AUG 18, 22014