President George W. Bush on Monday pardoned 14 people and commuted the sentences on two others, leaving the door open for more clemency measures in the two months he has left in office, the White House said.

There were no high-profile personalities among the pardoned people who had been convicted of drug, environmental, animal endangerment, tax and fraud offenses, according to a list published by the Justice Department.

It is customary for US presidents to issue a flurry of last-minute pardons in the waning weeks of their tenure.

Including Monday's announcements, Bush has pardoned 117 people and commuted the sentences of eight others since he took office in January 2001, the White House said.

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"The President carefully considered recommendations for pardons and commutations on a case-by-case basis and made his determinations," said White House spokesman Carlton Carroll.

"He will continue to review clemency requests," he added.