Wikileaks' Assange released on bail

Julian Assange has been released on bail after a hearing at the High Court.

The Wikileaks editor was released from cells at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday, having been held at Wandsworth prison since the beginning of last week.

"Well, it's great to smell the fresh air of London again," Assange said outside the court on Thursday evening.

Assange thanked "all the people around the world who had faith" in him, his lawyers, the media, and the British justice system. Assange then spoke of his "time in solitary confinement in the bottom of a Victorian prison."

"I had time to reflect on all the people around the world who are in solitary confinement, or on remand, in conditions more difficult than those found by me," said Assange.

Earlier on Thursday, Justice Duncan Ouseley had granted Assange conditional bail. Assange must stay at the residence of Frontline Club founder Vaughan Smith — Ellingham Hall in Suffolk — until his next court appearance.

Swedish authorities want to question Assange about allegations of sexual molestation and rape made in August.

Wikileaks is in the process of publishing hundreds of thousands of sensitive US diplomatic cables.