President Rafael Correa said yesterday that he expects a "forceful repudiation" of what he has called threats by Britain to forcibly remove Assange from the London embassy.

An emergency OAS meeting is scheduled for tomorrow in Washington to discuss of the Ecuador-Britain row. The United States and Canada have questioned whether the issue is relevant to the group, while some Latin American leaders have been strongly supportive of Ecuador.

Correa last week accused Britain of colonialism for threatening to enter Ecuador's embassy in London to arrest Assange and extradite him to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning in connection with alleged sexual assaults.

Britain said it merely reminded Ecuador of the legal status of diplomatic premises on its territory.

Assange, 41, has been holed up in the embassy since June. Ecuador last week granted him asylum, but Britain said it would detain and extradite him if he leaves the embassy grounds.

Quito said the asylum was in recognition of Assange's stated fear that he could be extradited from Sweden to the United States to stand trial for the publishing of leaked confidential documents by his whistleblowing website.

On Tuesday, Correa said that Ecuador remains open to dialogue with Britain.