Stockholm: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has lost a bid to cancel a Swedish detention order for alleged sexual assault as he fights to leave the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he sought asylum two years ago.

"The court has decided that there is still probable cause concerning the suspicions directed toward Assange," Stockholm City Court said on Wednesday after a ruling by Judge Lena Egelin. "There is still a risk that he will fail to appear or in some other way avoid participation in the investigation."

Julian Assange has lost his appeal in Sweden. Credit:AFP

In Canberra, Australian Attorney-General George Brandis says Assange should face the claims.

"I think Mr Assange should be man enough to face the allegations against him of being a sexual predator," Senator Brandis told ABC radio on Thursday.