Beirut -- "Our mission in the Middle East is to be servants and not masters. Christians and Muslims in the region must work for peace ", was the focus of the message that Ignatius Ephrem II, new Syrian Orthodox patriarch, launched on his first official visit to Lebanon. He concluded his visit yesterday with a solemn Mass in the Church of St. Ephrem in Beirut in the presence of Lebanese authorities and figures. The Patriarch arrived in the "land of cedars" on 6 November, after visiting Sadad (Syria), where there is one of the most ancient roots of the Eastern Syriac community, at present under threat from groups of the Islamic State. In order to visit Sadad, the patriarch interrupted a trip to the US. His arrival in Beirut was to encourage the faithful to remain bound to the East. The patriarch is very familiar with Lebanon. Born in 1965 in Kamichli (Syria), he completed his theological studies in the convent of Atchaneh (Metn - Lebanon), then continued in Cairo, in Ireland and Britain. In Atchaneh, March 31, 2014, the Synod chose him to succeed the Patriarch Zakka Iwas II. During the divine liturgy, the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch appealed for the rapid election of a new President of the Republic of Lebanon, and for Muslims and Christians in Lebanon "to work in a spirit of sharing and brotherhood to safeguard Lebanon and its unity" . "The region of the Middle East - he said - is dear to our hearts. Here is where we have taken root and where we grew, and we will stay until the end of time. " Praying that " human rights and dignity are respected", he added. "How can we live without seeing the presence of God in every human face? Why are we working to eliminate each other, instead of educating and helping each other to grow to maturity? ". The patriarch congratulated the Assyrian Church for the recent release of 37 faithful, hostages of the Islamic State, after the payment of a hefty ransom. But he also remembered and prayed for the return of the bishops of Aleppo, Boulos Yazigi (greek-orthodox) et Youhanna Ibrahim (Syrian Orthodox), kidnapped in Syria 18 months ago and all trace of whom seem to be lost. Civil and religious spheres On 6 November, the Patriarch visited the civil and religious leaders in Lebanon. He was received by the Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Tammam Salam, as well as by Sheikh Abdel Latif Deriane, Mufti of the Republic, by Abdel Amir Kabalan, vice-president of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, and Na