Ecuador is to allow Swedish prosecutors to question Julian Assange inside its embassy in London.

The WikiLeaks founder is wanted for questioning over claims he sexually assaulted two women during a visit to the country in 2010. He denies all accusations against him.

Mr Assange has been claiming political asylum in the embassy since 2012. He argues he could become a victim of political persecution if he is extradited to face charges.

The Ecuadorian attorney general said in a statement that a date for the questioning will be set in the coming weeks.

In a statement translated by Press Association, Ecuador said: "For more than four years, the government of Ecuador has offered to cooperate in facilitating the questioning of Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, as well as proposing other political and legal measures, in order to reach a satisfactory solution for all parties involved in the legal case against Julian Assange, to end the unnecessary delays in the process and to ensure full and effective legal protection.

"In line with this position, Ecuador proposed to Sweden the negotiation of an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, which was signed last December and which provides the legal framework for the questioning."

The statement added that the decision will not affect the recommendations issued by the UN's working group on arbitrary detentions, which deemed Julian Assange to be in a situation of arbitrary detention.

"Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry reiterates its commitment to the asylum granted to Julian Assange in August 2012, and reaffirms that the protection afforded by the Ecuadorian state shall continue while the circumstances persist that led to the granting of asylum, namely fears of political persecution," it said. 

.@FiscaliaEcuador notificó a Fiscalía de Suecia su disposición para interrogatorio a Assange https://t.co/0XwPihBTEa pic.twitter.com/flK107dYKk

— Cancillería Ecuador (@CancilleriaEc) August 11, 2016