SIDON, Lebanon, April 7 (AFP) - A member of Israel's proxy South Lebanon Army (SLA) became the fourth member of the militia to desert this week, security services here said.

Hilmi Yasser Awad gave himself up to the Shiite Muslim Hizbullah, which carries out most of the attacks on the Israeli-held zone in southern Lebanon, they said.

Awad, who served 18 months in the SLA, fled from his village of Hula, which is in the Israeli-occupied zone.

On Thursday, an SLA sergeant went over to the Shiite Muslim Amal movement, which is headed by parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri and also fights the 22-year Israeli occupation in the south.

Two other SLA militiamen deserted Saturday.

Lebanese security services say there are 2,400-2,500 men in the SLA's ranks today compared to 2,700-2,800 a year ago.

The reduction in SLA numbers is due to both desertions and emigration, mainly to Canada and Australia.

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