The League is often described as an exclusively Maronite "elitist group" whose membership was "automatic" for prominent figures in the public and private sector – Intellectuals, Businessmen, Bankers, Politicians (including former Heads of State, Members of Parliament, Government Ministers, and diplomats), Lawyers, Jurists, Public Servants, retired senior Army or Police officers, Presidents of Economic and Social Associations, Corporate Managers, and others.
Board meetings are held at the League's Headquarters, in the Central Council of the Maronite Societies Building located at Rue Medawar in Beirut.
Under the presidency of Chaker Abou Sleiman, an ardent supporter of Father Charbel Qassis of the Order of Maronite Monks, the League in the early 1970s provided secret financial support and political cadres to the Christian militias, notably the Al-Tanzim led by the physician Dr. Fuad Chemali since 1972 (who, besides being the president of the Medical Association, was also a member of the executive board of the Maronite League and later a founding member of the Lebanese Front).
[1][2][3] In 1975 Abou Sleiman even used the League's funds to raise a 200 men-strong militia, which he led personally and saw heavy action in Beirut during the 1975-76 civil war, defending the Christian quarters against Lebanese National Movement (LNM)/PLO Joint Forces' attacks.
Eventually, the ML emerged unscathed in the post-war years as a powerful pressure group with some 1,000-1,200 current members, which continues to promote Christian interests in Lebanon and abroad.