AMMAN , June 4, 2018 (News Wires) - Jordan's King Abdullah on Monday asked Omar al-Razzaz, a former World Bank economist, to form a new government after Hani Mulki resigned as prime minister following the country's biggest protests in years, a ministerial source said. The move appeared aimed at defusing popular anger over planned tax hikes that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in the capital Amman and other parts of Jordan since last week. Razzaz was education minister in Mulki's government. Jordan, a staunch U.S. ally that has a peace treaty with Israel, has remained stable through years of regional turmoil. The move appeared aimed at defusing popular anger over planned tax hikes that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in the capital Amman and other parts of Jordan since last week. Razzaz was education minister in Mulki's government. Jordan, a staunch U.S. ally that has a peace treaty with Israel, has remained stable through years of regional turmoil.