Ambassador: Assange Has Lung Infection

Requires constant medical attention while trapped in Ecuadorean Embassy in London

Ecuador's ambassador to Britain says WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has developed a chronic lung infection and requires constant medical attention at his refuge in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London.

Ambassador Ana Alban made the comment to reporters in the Ecuadorean capital of Quito on Wednesday without offering further details.

Assange took refuge in Ecuador's London embassy on June 19 after unsuccessfully fighting extradition from Britain to Sweden for questioning on sexual assault charges filed by two women. Ecuador later granted him asylum.