POLICE say they are committed to solving a four-year-old murder inquiry in Wales even though the main suspect is thought to have fled the UK.

Mohammed Musa was attacked with a metal bar from a set of dumbbells after parking outside chief suspect Mohamoud Ahmed Mahad's home in Cardiff in 2003.

An inquest in Cardiff this week recorded an unlawful killing verdict and heard Mr Mahad fled to either Kenya or Canada. He has not been traced but police said the inquiry was still active.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Mackenzie said: "An international arrest warrant has been issued and South Wales Police is working closely with Interpol. We are committed to solving this terrible crime."

The attack took place in April 2003 in the Butetown area of Cardiff, shortly after Post Office worker Mr Musa's wedding day.

The court heard Mr Mahad was "paranoid" that he was being followed and started throwing training weights at Mr Musa and his friends.

Mr Mahad then hit Mr Musa to the side of the head with a dumbbell bar and he died of a brain haemorrhage in hospital five days later.

Police launched a murder inquiry, naming Mr Mahad as the chief suspect, and have made repeated appeals for information on his whereabouts.

At an inquest on Mr Musa's death in Cardiff on Friday, coroner Mary Hassell returned a verdict of unlawful killing.

She said: "Mr Musa died from the injuries he sustained to his head. There is no doubt in my mind that he was unlawfully killed."