The Organisation of American States (OAS) has declared "solidarity and support" for Ecuador in its dispute with Britain over granting asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

The meeting of the bloc was convened in Washington at Ecuador's request to consider a resolution rejecting any attempt to put at risk the "inviolability" of its embassy in London, where Mr Assange is holed up.

The talks gave foreign minister Ricardo Patino a platform to put forward more of Ecuador's argument over the case of Mr Assange.

Mr Patino condemned Britain for what he called the "assault on our sovereignty."

"We may be a small country but we are giants in terms of dignity and our own right to sovereignty," he said.

"No country can be treated in this manner as if it were a mere colony. That history has long gone."

In the resolution, foreign ministers and representatives of the 34-member regional body rejected "any attempt that might put at risk the inviolability of the premises of diplomatic missions."

The text, adopted by consensus after five hours of arduous negotiations, also expressed "solidarity and support for the government of the Republic of Ecuador."

It urged Ecuador and Britain to "continue to engage in dialogue in order to settle their current differences in accordance with international law, taking into account the statements made recently by authorities of both governments."

Reservations about the resolution were expressed in footnotes by United States and Canada, OAS members who are also firm British allies.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 4 minutes 9 seconds 4 m 9 s OAS offers qualified support for Ecuador Download 1.9 MB

Brazil, taking a powerful role in the discussions ahead of hosting the World Cup and the Olympics in a few years, also encouraged Ecuador to sit down and discuss concerns through diplomatic channels with the UK.

The diplomatic confrontation over Mr Assange, who has been staying at the Ecuadorean mission since June 19, reached a new pitch last week after Quito announced it was granting the 41-year-old Australian activist asylum.

Mr Assange took refuge there to escape extradition to Sweden, where he is sought for questioning about sex assault allegations.

He claims that if extradited to Sweden, he would be handed over to the United States, where he fears prosecution over WikiLeaks' release of a vast cache of confidential US government files.

But Britain's permanent observer to the OAS, Philip Barton, stressed that London had never threatened to enter the Ecuadoran embassy.

"At no time did the UK make any threat against the embassy of Ecuador," he said, calling for a resumption of dialogue.

"We invite the government of Ecuador to resume as early as possible the constructive discussion we've held on this matter to date."

Despite the British claim, Mr Patino said his government was still waiting for an apology.

"Ecuador celebrates the change of attitude of the United Kingdom," he said, although adding: "the threat has already been made and continues in effect because it has not been withdrawn."

While Britain has said it will not go into the embassy to arrest Assange, it has refused to grant the Australian national safe conduct out of the country.

ABC/AFP