He said the group agreed they should not urge Mr Assange to leave the embassy as that would make them "mercenary and contemptible individuals".

BBC: Julian Assange: Bail cash decision delayed

The information, he said, had come from a captured Mauritanian mercenary - who had been fighting with pro-Gaddafi forces.

BBC: Mystery surrounds Gaddafi's end

Caracas, Venezuela (CNN) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said authorities have arrested a U.S. citizen who "had all the appearances of a mercenary" working to destabilize the South American country's government.

CNN: Chavez: Venezuela arrests U.S. 'mercenary'