Newborn found dead in Arsal

BEIRUT—The body of a newborn baby placed inside a nylon bag was discovered this morning in Arsal, in the Baalbek district, Lebanon, L'Orient Today's correspondent in the Bekaa reported.

The baby's body was discarded in an area away from residential areas. Security forces arrived at the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic discovery.

The child's body has been transferred to a hospital where a forensic doctor will examine it to determine the cause of death. 

Lebanon continues to grapple with various social and economic challenges, which is taking a toll on vulnerable populations. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Lebanon last year said the country was witnessing a "distressing" surge in various forms of child abuse and child abandonment. The numbers are driven by the financial crisis' impact on families.