In a case where a driving state is switched from a high load to a low load in a non-turbo charge region and an external EGR is stopped, at a timing T01 at which an EGR control valve (21) is closed, a valve overlap quantity between an intake valve and an exhaust valve is, as a low load transient time provisional value, controlled in a direction such that the valve overlap between the intake and exhaust valves is once contracted. Then, a target value of the valve overlap quantity between the intake and exhaust valves at a timing T21 preceded by a response time Δt of the variably operated valve mechanism (28) from a timing T31 at which the opening angle of the EGR control valve (21) is modified from the low load transient time provisional value to the target value at the time of the low load.