WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is safe from both U.S. and British authorities as Ecuador granted him political asylum Thursday.

Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London for two months. British authorities say they have a legal obligation to arrest Assange as soon as he sets foot outside the embassy.

Assange is trying to avoid extradition to Sweden, where two women have accused him of assault and rape. The move by Ecuador drew an angry response from Sweden.

Ecuador's government plans to try to negotiate with Britain to secure Assange's safe passage out of the country.

Some experts say today's decision could be the beginning of an international face-off.