Bush says doesn't rule out pardon for Libby

WASHINGTON, July 4 (Reuters) President George W Bush said yesterday he would not rule out a full pardon for Lewis ''Scooter'' Libby, a day after he spared the former White House aide prison time for his perjury conviction in the CIA leak case.

Bush on Monday voided Libby's 2-1/2 year prison sentence for obstructing the investigation into who leaked the identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame, who was married to a critic of the Iraq war.

But he did not pardon Libby and left standing his felony conviction, a 250,000 dollar fine and probation.

''I felt the punishment was severe. So I made a decision to commute his sentence, but leave in place a serious fine and probation,'' Bush told reporters after visiting wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. ''As to the future I rule nothing in and nothing out.'' REUTERS TB RAI0548