Assange given citizenship

ECUADOR has confirmed it has granted citizenship to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Foreign affairs minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa said the government granted “naturalisation” to Mr Assange.

The 46-year-old has been in the London embassy of the South American country for five-and-a-half years after being granted asylum as he fought sexrelated claims in Sweden.

The Foreign Office said it refused an Ecuadorian government request to grant Mr Assange diplomatic status. A spokesman said: “The way to resolve this issue is for Julian Assange to leave the embassy to face justice.”