Jordan's Prime Minister Hani Mulki has resigned after days of protests against tax rises and austerity measures.

The recent demonstrations in the country, which is a key Western ally, are the biggest in years, reports the BBC.

Protesters have chanted anti-government slogans and clashed with police, who have fired tear gas and blocked roads.

The demonstrators say a new tax bill backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will hurt the poor and middle class.

The protests have continued for four consecutive nights, and police say dozens of people have been detained and more than forty members of the security forces have been injured.

Mulki had refused to scrap the bill, saying it was up to parliament to decide whether to pass it or not.

His government said it needed the money to fund public services and said the new tax bill would mean higher earners pay more.

But protesters feared it would further worsen living standards. In recent years, Jordanians have seen prices rise with salaries failing to keep up.

Mulki was sworn in as prime minister in June 2016. He is a former diplomat and government minister, and the son of former Prime Minister Fawzi Mulki.

On Monday, he was summoned by King Abdullah who demanded his resignation.

In Jordan, the monarch has extensive powers and can appoint governments and approve legislation.

King Abdullah has reportedly asked Omar al-Razzaz, the education minister and a former World Bank economist, to form a new government.

Earlier this year, sales tax was increased and bread subsidies were scrapped as part of a plan to cut the country's debt.

Mulki said he hoped the reforms, which were needed to get Jordan's economy "back on track", would be complete by mid-2019.

King Abdullah has previously said that conflict in neighbouring Syria and Iraq has worsened Jordan's financial situation.

BDST: 1947 HRS, JUNE 4, 2018
AP