CONTROL DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

An intake variable valve operating mechanism (44) is included, which has a hydraulic type variable phase mechanism that regulates a rotation phase of an intake cam, and an electric type variable lift amount mechanism that regulates a lift amount and an operating angle of an intake valve. The rotation phase of the intake cam, and the lift amount and the operating angle of the intake valve are controlled by using both of the variable phase mechanism and the variable lift amount mechanism so that a valve opening characteristic of the intake valve becomes a target valve opening characteristic at a transition time at which an operation state of an internal combustion engine (10) changes. In this case, control that is more effective for reduction of exhaust emission is selected and executed, out of closing timing (IVC) priority control that puts priority on followability of closing timing of the intake valve to a target value by regulation of the operating angle of the intake valve with use of the variable lift amount mechanism, and lift amount priority control that puts priority on followability of the lift amount of the intake valve to a target value with use of the variable lift amount mechanism.