A valve operation control device for an internal combustion engine

A valve operating control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, said engine having a variable valve timing mechanism that changes a valve timing of an engine valve, and a variable valve duration mechanism that changes a valve duration of the engine valve, the apparatus comprising a control section that controls the variable valve timing mechanism and the variable valve duration mechanism, wherein the device is characterized in that the control section is carried out up to an actual stop of the engine while a delay control for extending a period of time from a request for stopping the engine, the valve timing and the valve duration changes a valve timing and a valve duration, which are suitable for starting the engine, wherein the control section one of the other such changes of the valve timing and the valve duration on the basis that a valve overlap during changing the valve timing and the valve duration after the start of the deceleration control is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value.