Assange denounces 'war on whistleblowers'

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange called foran end tothe "witch-hunt" against his secret-spilling websitein his first public appearance since he took refuge inside Ecuador's Embassy in London two months ago.

"The war on whistleblowers must end," the 41-year-old Australian told reporters Sunday, speaking from a smallbalcony at the embassy in the city'sposh Knightsbridge district.

"I ask President [Barack] Obama to do the right thing. The United States must renounce its witch-hunt against WikiLeaks. The United States must dissolve its FBI investigation. The United States must vow it will not seek to charge our staff or supporters," he said.

"As WikiLeaks stands under threat, so does the freedom of expression," the former computer hacker said.

Assange also called on the U.S.to releasearmy private Bradley Manning, charged with leaking classified information. The 24-year-old intelligence analyst is accused ofaiding the enemy by causing hundreds of thousands of classified documents to be published on theWikiLeaks website.

"On Wednesday, Bradley Manning spent his 815th day of detention without trial.The legal maximum is 120 days," Assange said at the news conference.

Assange tookrefuge inside Ecuador's Embassy in Londonon June 19 to avoid extradition to Sweden over sexual misconduct allegations. The WikiLeaks founder sought shelter atthe embassyafter exhausting all routes of appeal in the U.K. to avoid being sent to Sweden.

Heappeared before the crowd to read his statement as dozens of police officers and just as many reporters stood below, along with a group of Latin American supporters.

British officials had said he would bearrestedif he were tostepoutside the embassy.

Assange thanked Ecuador president Rafael Correa for granting him political asylum on Thursday and for "taking a stand for justice."

Correa on Saturday continued to stand behind his decision to grant political asylum toAssange.

At a rally in the city of Loja, in the southern part of the country, Correa said Ecuador made thedecision in a "responsible, calm and sovereign manner," in order to "protect the life and human rights of Mr. Julian Assange."

Ecuador says if Assange is sent to Swedenhe could end up being sent to the U.S.

An emergency meeting of Latin American leaders has been called forFriday in Washington, where theywill discuss the standoff.