An emission control system for the cleaning of the exhaust gases of a lean burn engine with two or more cylinders comprises a first exhaust leg for the exhaust gases of a first group of cylinders and a second exhaust leg for the exhaust gases of a second group of cylinders. A nitrogen oxide storage catalyst is arranged in each exhaust leg. The two exhaust legs are combined downstream of the storage catalysts at a confluence to form a common exhaust leg. The common exhaust leg contains an SCR catalyst. The first and second groups of cylinders are each supplied alternately in periodic intervals with lean and rich air/fuel mixtures. Lean or rich exhaust gases are thus obtained in the combustion in the cylinders and released into the corresponding exhaust legs. Lean and rich exhaust gases are adjusted with respect to one another so as to result in a lean exhaust gas after the combination of the exhaust gases in the common exhaust leg. The regeneration of the storage catalysts may result in the formation of ammonia, which is stored by the SCR catalyst and reacted with nitrogen oxides which pass through the storage catalysts in an unwanted manner during the storage phases.