An international manhunt is underway after a rape suspect fled Sussex for the Middle East.

Interpol has been contacted by Sussex Police to help track down Abdul Bieeu, who is wanted for questioning over a sex attack near Arundel.

The fugitive, who also uses the names Marney Bieeu, MarneyRafah, Abdel Sadik and Abdel Sadiq, has been added to the Crimestoppers Most Wanted list and police forces around the world are looking for him.

Bieeu was arrested on suspicion of the September 2010 rape and questioned but was released on bail and told to appear at a police station.

After he was released he disappeared. Police believe he fled to Libya and detectives have been in contact with their counterparts in other countries to see if anyone has seen him.

But they are also considering the possibility that Bieeu could have slipped back into Britain undetected and be hiding some- where.

The last reported sighting of the 23-year-old, who also has links to Bolton, Chester and Southsea, was in Manchester.

A police spokeswoman said that a number of houses in the city had been visited by officers but his whereabouts are still unknown.

Bieeu was arrested following the rape of a 19-year-old woman at the Comfort Inn hotel in Lyminster Road, Lyminster, late on September 8 or in the early hours of September 9 2010.

A second man has been arrested and charged with rape in relation to the incident. Richard Wooster, 24, of Highfield, Wick, has pleaded not guilty to the offence and is due to appear for trial at Chichester Crown Court on September 3.

Detective Constable Andrea Watts, from West Sussex CID, said: “We have been working to establish Mr Bieeu’s whereabouts but have been unable to trace him so far.

“We are appealing for anyone who has information about his whereabouts to contact police.

“It was believed that he may have gone to Libya for a short time and may have now returned. He also has links to Manchester, Bolton, Chester and Southsea.

“Mr Bieeu has been known to work for cash-in-hand at restaurants and bars and may be using a different name.”

If you have any information about his whereabouts please contact police on 101 quoting serial 297 of 9/9 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.