Julian Assange was speaking alongside Ricardo Patino, the Ecuadorian foreign minister

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

Mr Assange, 43, who faces extradition to Sweden, denies the allegations and sought refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in June 2012. 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 Mr Assange had developed a heart defect and a chronic lung condition during his confinement.

Speaking at a news conference, Mr Assange said his health had suffered during his time inside the embassy.

The Australian said the reasons for leaving were not those “reported by the Murdoch press” – but did not elaborate further.